By: Marsalis Anderson (’24), Staff Writer
In the spirit of April Fools’ Day, Black Ink would like to acknowledge the evolution of Black comedy in the media over the past decade or so. In the earlier days of social media, Black creators used race in their comedy skits that put us in an inhumane light for the sake of a few cheap laughs. This Vine from King Bach explicitly shows how Black people portraying themselves as less than human just for people to laugh was socially acceptable just under a decade ago. Here, another Vine from King Bach stereotypes Black men as people who will do anything for some Jordans.
People of color have had pressure on them within the media to act this way to appeal towards white people. As a result, this holds Black creators back from realizing their true comedic potential. There are still some comedians that use self-deprecating humor in their routine, such as Kevin Hart, who uses his height in his jokes at times. While he may not be afraid to laugh at himself for his short stature, his style of comedy can be dangerous for Black people just trying to get a laugh. A short Black man who is struggling with his confidence could look for a laugh from a relatable source one day and find Kevin Hart, who is self-deprecating within his comedy routine. While it may not negatively impact Hart personally, it could impact plenty of others, showing why self-deprecation within Black comedy can be dangerous.
Comedy without any negative undertones to it, whether it be blatant or subtle, is really important in Black comedy. Black comedians who can get laughs simply by being themselves and not slandering any groups of people are really important to the progression of comedy within the Black community. Leslie Jones is an example of a Black comedian who revolves her comedy around herself, meaning that she is able to make people laugh because her routines are naturally funny. She does not have to force any self-deprecation or appeal to white audiences in order to generate a few laughs, as seen in this video.
There are a plethora of other Black comedians that have come around over time, and many of them have found their successes through social media. Comedians from Instagram and TikTok, such as Druski and Tra Rags, have harmless skits that can make people laugh without degrading one’s race.
Tra Rags is known for his TikTok skits, and he has a large variety of content for all audiences. His content persists of many real-life situations in a dramatic, yet enjoyable way. Here is a skit from him when someone has to give an offering in church. Meanwhile, Druski is known for his hilarious meme-worthy content from multiple Instagram Lives and never seems to force his jokes. His material lights up the room with laughter if it is displayed. Here’s one of his posts about a coach that everyone has played for before.
These two comedians are examples of Black comedy in a free form; they are able to make their audiences laugh simply from their jokes. That is so important in Black comedy, and it shows the growth within the genre. More Black comedians have been able to become comfortable in their own skin and entertain their audiences without worrying about race within their content. They can be themselves and be proud of it at all times, and that is what is most important.
