A White Gay Man in Black Face — Page 3

I kinda feel the same way, Kringas.

I thought it was an interesting discussion. Ah well...

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You want to talk about prejudice and homophobia? Watch a little Comic View on BET or The Big Black Comedy Show, and tell me if you don't find it just a bit unsettling.

ETA: My point is that ANYONE and EVERYONE can find material offensive or bigoted depending on his/her own life experience and background.

Updated On: 5/22/07 at 04:04 PM

As I was reading the article, I was on the fence of how I felt about it...but I was leaning more towards thinking it was controversial, but fine.

But when he performs at private parties for a bunch of rich, white Southern folks, the whole situation clearly changes. It gives these people an outlet to openly mock and make fun of and laugh at black people. How is that okay?

The article clearly states that his fanbase is pretty much gay men and white Southerners.


And it is completely different from Borat.

First of all, Borat's material is not meant to make fun of Kazachistanis. It makes fun of America's ignorance. And it caters to an American audience. So it is us laughing at ourselves.

Shirley Q. Liquor makes fun of black people. And it's mostly white people who are fans. So it's white people laughing at an exagerated portrayl of black culture.

Completely different.


To all of you who are defending her...how would you feel if there was a comedian who performed an exaggerated caraicature of a gay man. And this comedian in his character frequently performed to obviously homophobic evangelical audiences in the South. Giving the homophobic Southerners opputunity to laugh at homos. Is that okay to you? Because if you are okay with Shirley Q. Liquor, you'd be a hypocrite to not be okay with that.

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I'm wondering, does anyone have a black and white (pardon the pun) CORRECT answer to handling humor?

Is there a right way to do it? A wrong way to do it? (Nobody does it like meeeeee!)

yes. yes. and yes.

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Updated On: 5/22/07 at 04:13 PM

yes, robbie...it's only two options like everything in life...lord--you ladies today!


This is what i "said:"

"I just get the feeling that some of you just don't like her/don't think she's funny--that's fine, but it doesn't mean she's racist. "

I'd say "just get the feeling" is hardly an absolute--and if it is more complicated than that--shoot!

I just think some people, not necessarily YOU, don't care for her and simply use that for the reason--when in fact it's simply a matter of taste.

and Stick you say:

"Shirley Q. Liquor makes fun of black people. And it's mostly white people who are fans. So it's white people laughing at an exagerated portrayl of black culture. "

No--that's what you think--I don't think she's making fun of black people at all, but rather the misconception of the black woman--but that's what I think and you have the right to think otherwise. Do you KNOW what percentage of Shirley's fans are white?

I think what Shirley and Borat do are very much the same thing--taking a stereotype and making it so ridiculous, WE see how ridiculous all stereotypes are. Now if the audience isn't smart enough to catch that, it's not Shirley's fault. I doubt Hitch refused to screen his films to those who would miss the psycho-sexual subtext--you can't help how an audience perceives your act.


To all of you who are defending her...how would you feel if there was a comedian who performed an exaggerated caraicature of a gay man. And this comedian in his character frequently performed to obviously homophobic evangelical audiences in the South. Giving the homophobic Southerners opputunity to laugh at homos. Is that okay to you? Because if you are okay with Shirley Q. Liquor, you'd be a hypocrite to not be okay with that.

I'd be fine with that--but you also assume that the "rich white Southerners" are racist--which is also a racist and classist view on its own--it's entirely possible that rich white Southerners can be smart, compassionate liberals too.

And since when did the racist rich white Southerners need an outlet to laugh at black people?

SticktoPriest, I guess your only option is to ignore Shirley and not support that type of humor.

That's what I do with Carlos Mencia and a handful of other comics with whom I disagree.

RobbieJ, we are discussing it.

BUT is there a right and wrong to comedy? Can you not find something racist and offensive that your neighbor may find humorous and harmless?

If that's the case, then who is right and who is wrong?

"SticktoPriest, I guess your only option is to ignore Shirley and not support that type of humor."

Again, it isn't so much that "type of humor" that is wrong. It is the fact that he performs this character at private parties for white Southern gentry audiences that he knows are watching with the wrong intent, yet he does it anyway. It's as if he has no moral compass or conviction.

And ignoring it isn't my only option.

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Updated On: 5/22/07 at 04:30 PM

Okay SticktoPriest. We disagree, but I respect your opinion.

I don't see how anyone can assume his moral position and convictions based on his willingness to perform for a bunch of rich white people. That seems like a sweeping judgement on his character based on ONE factor. (Unless you have other factors.)

Perhaps you can write him on this particular concern and see if you receive a response.

Updated On: 5/22/07 at 04:40 PM

My computer froze when I was trying to write this...but I saved it...so here goes:

At one point in this discussion, we were told we were beating a dead horse. That is what I was addressing.

There is no right or wrong. And, to be honest, I don't think that kind of rhetorical question helps the discussion.

Performance is a dialogue between the performer and the audience. Sometimes the response is immediate. And sometimes criticism comes at you later...whether spoken, written or what have you.

Early in my career, I played a role that was signaled as 'gay'...though it wasn't exactly spelled out in the script. I went really far with it, trying to get as many laughs as I could. And I did. And then I read a review that said my performance was like watching a black man tap-dance and eat watermelon at the same time. I was devastated. And I've spent the better part of the last decade trying to make sure that if I play gay, I do so in a way that I could be proud of. That kind of soul-searching makes one a better actor. It made me a better actor.

I'm actually kind of intrigued by Knipp's own searching for what is acceptable within the boundaries he's set up for himself and his character. Knipp doesn't have a lot of control over who comes to see him...but he certainly has control over whether or not he takes a private party gig for a bunch of rich, white people. Even if they are liberals. Cause...guess what...liberals can also be racist.

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"And ignoring it isn't my only option. "

What else?

And Jaily--I agree 100% with what you say--there also a great deal of reverse racism about this as well--the white rich Southern folk are getting a VERY bad rap.

And I'm the last person to stand up for white rich Southern folks...but racism is racism, whether it's directed at rich white Southerners or poor black Brooklynites.

Well, I am a rich, white Southerner (if we count Dallas) so I am speaking from experience. I'm not drawing on stereotypes.

My racist grandmother and grandfather would probably have a ball laughing at Shirley. And just the thought of that sickens me.

"What else?"

I can write him a letter expressing my concerns with his performing at the private functions.

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