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In reply to the discussion: How Bout This, Tina Fey: Give Us (Black People) the Sheet Cake, and You Go Confront the White Women [View all]Dark n Stormy Knight
(9,760 posts)Last edited Sat Aug 19, 2017, 11:38 PM - Edit history (1)
but that doesn't mean their perception is infallible.
I don't agree, for instance, that the joke about the 6'4' black drag queen "plays on the trope that large black men are inherently brutes."
I took it to be playing on the notion that there very well could be a 6'4" drag queen who'd be willing and able to kick some white supremacist ass. And that it would be kind of poetic justice and especially annoying to a white supremacist who most likely would be particularly humiliated by that.
And the baseless suggestion that she needs to be told that not all drag queens are black that has been made further points to misinterpretation.
I note also that you seem to be suggesting in this thread that Fey satirizing this subject in the same character as she's satirized other subjects somehow invalidates or diminishes the satire, which is is incorrect. Using a particular character to comment on various topics is a staple successful of satire.
You've said you get that Fey's routine was satire, but not good satire. Plenty disagree with you there.
You asked, "Why do so many people need Tina Fey's sheetcaking bit to not be problematic? What do you lose if it is?"
Maybe nothing. On the other hand, it might diminish comedians' willingness to ridicule white supremacists if every routine is expected to be funny as well as flawless and to provide excellent advice for how to solve a problem. In times like these, it's especially helpful to have the release valve of laughter. There were so many hilarious jibes at the Reich Wing in Feys routine, despite whatever failings may be found.
If not for comedians, my personal favorites being Stephen Colbert and Seth Meyers, allowing me to avoid total despair at the state or our nation, I'm really not sure I'd still be alive.
Edited to add: Not sure what it proves, if anything, but apparently many people brought sheet cakes to the Boston counter protest. For instance, this guy.
https://twitter.com/search?q=sheet%20cake%20boston&src=typd