by Gary Moskowitz, Jessica Jones, Brad WagnerWhen people of color joke about or comment on stereotypes of their community, is that spoofing racism or helping perpetuate it?

When comedians, spoken word artists, and other live performers who are people of color joke about or talk about race onstage, how do they know how the audience will perceive their message? When an Asian comic jokes about Asian stereotypes and non-Asians laugh, are stereotypes being deconstructed or reinforced? When an African American jokes about or comments on stereotypes of their community, is that spoofing racism or helping perpetuate it? Do performers themselves consider these questions when writing their material, or is it all about the laugh? Or is it merely a performance and nothing more?

Today, Pop and Politics tries to figure it out.

Host: Gary Moskowitz
Co-host: Jessica Jones
Guests: Award-winning standup comic Margaret Cho; Jamaal Johnson
Audio producer: Brad WagnerMusic: Braille Brizzy, The Specials, Skankin’ Pickle, Mos Def, Nina Simone
Intro music: Matt Bauer