While there are many African Americans who are upset at the racial stereotypes in the media, there are others who find laughter in it. James Davis is a comedian, writer, and actor who has taken the negative stereotypes in the African American race and made them into a comedy. Crossroads High School was the beginning of his non-stop comedy .The school was a predominantly white, upper-class private high school. Being a financially aided black student, Davis would create humor for himself in order to find an atmosphere that was comfortable for him. He saw the way his classmates had looked at him, and instead of being hurt, he made jokes. He has performed his comedy for BET, MTV, and “Russell Simmons Presents” on Comedy Central. He also creates videos, which include commercial spoofs that target racial stereotypes people make.
In the Brinks spoof commercial, it shows a young African American male trying to return a wallet that has been dropped by the white female. Already, there is irony because a stereotypical African American would not have tried to return the wallet, but instead take it. As the woman scurries into her house screaming, the black man starts to run after her trying to return the wallet. As the woman is on the phone, she makes another stereotype about the African American by saying that he is trying to break in and rape her. When the police came and took care of the situation, it shows the woman is now relaxed and ironically has turned on the TV show “Friends”. The humor that comes into play is that this is how racist people feel about African Americans. They think that all black people are criminals and thugs. When the woman screams, “I don’t speak Ebonics” it shows that stereotypically black people speak another language. Davis’s way of portraying stereotypes has brought much laughter to many people. His comedy pieces and videos have continued to bring smiles to all.
"James Davis." Comedy Central Stand-Up. Comedy Central, 2012. Web. 17 Feb. 2012.
<http://comedians.jokes.com/james-davis/bio>.
Un-aired Racist Brinks Commercial. Dir. Martin Usher. Perf. James Davis and Vita Lusty.
YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. 13 June 2011. Web. 17 Feb. 2012.
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hJ0lvQSgPw>.
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