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The past few weeks have been a … trying time for Black America, to say the least.
But even in times of tragedy, Black Americans have historically striven to find a lightness.
And despite so much focuson the hardships we face, Black joy is omnipresent and worthy of highlight.
Its also something that Black people are good at.
We always have been.
Finding joy under circumstances that could break anyone has been an aspect of Black American culture for centuries.
So who better to talk to about Black joy than Black comics?
Quinta Brunson:Whats funny about being Black?
We thought we were so tired from white people not understanding racism.
Turns out them understanding racism is just as tiring.
I never knew I could be this tired.
Nicole Byer:I dont know if there is anything funny about being Black.
This question is literally insane.
RuPauls Drag Raceis a lovely thing that I love to watch and is so much fun and is funny.
Twitter isveryfunny, specifically Black Twitter … Again we are good at being funny in hard times.
Jay Jurden:First of all, Im so happy a Black person is asking this.
Secondly, tension and release create comedy, and thats the story of Black people in America.
The brutalization of Black people isnt funny, but the ability to not only survive butthriveis awe-inspiring.
Black people have the neuroplasticity to protest but also crack jokes while we do it.
The po-po poo-pood and we all got to witness a lie unravel in real time.
It sucks that its such an old comedy trope, but its also sodamn funny.
Michael Jordan and Shaq both got huge laughs at Kobe Bryants funeral.
To me thats a microcosm of Black people finding joy in the depths of sorrow.EveryBlackcomicIfollowonTwitterhas found awaytomakemesmileduring this.
In part because we dont have the ability to distance ourselves from any of this.
I also laugh at pop culture, or at least the remnants of it during this.
The easiest part for me is laughing at parts of this because I traffic in comedy.
I have to consciously choose to be less receptive to laughs sometimes because shit aintalwaysfunny.
I laughed my ass off.
It was hilarious but also affirming.
And right now, that combo, thats what is making me laugh.
Charla Lauriston:I just finally dont feel crazy.
Like before the world was just chugging along like everything wasnt on fire.
Now at least Americas finally being honest with itself.
Thats funny, to me at least.
I think it works the same with our humor.
Its almost our way of breaking tension, which I believe we have so much of.
I think we developed a sense of humor to add levity to such an intense life.
As for what Im doing to laugh?
Talking to my Black friends.
I think it comes back to the whole idea of tension.
Only Black people can share a cathartic laugh with me about this tension.
Anyone else, Im either passing the stress onto them or they are ignoring its existence.
So whats making me laugh?
Becca ONeal:Other Black people are making me laugh right now.
Subversion is always funny.
And no ones better at subverting the status quo than people being actively oppressed.
Being Black in a white world is the joke; we just have to write it down.
