This is a 2013 stand-up comedy clip called “Reverse Racism” from Aamer Rahman of the Australian comedy duo, Fear of a Brown Planet. The segment acts as Rahman’s defense to critics who say he should not make jokes about white people. In the video, Rahman uses humor to explore the ways in which people of color have been systematically disenfranchised throughout history and defend his comedic choices.

discussion

Why does Rahman say white people do not like his comedy?

Who do you think is Rahman’s target audience for this segment and why?

Should people in the entertainment industry address issues like racism in their art? How does Rahman’s use of comedy to breech these complicated and painful topics potentially affect the audience’s interpretation?

Have you heard the term “reverse racism”? If so, in what context has it been brought up?