I’m not a Mark Larsen fan, but it’s not a matter of ideological incompatibility. I just find the libertarian boilerplate specials of the WWBA-AM morning guy to be typically light fare. Besides, I prefer Oldies-or-sports-talk escape when I’m privy to a radio.
But what was with Larsen’s black-face Webcam act the day after the presidential election? Is this a harbinger of the caricature humor ahead? Isn’t the Internet forum enough for sophomoric racist humor?
We had, understandably and appropriately enough, “philandering” “Slick Willy.” We have — for another two months — inarticulate and intellectually incurious “W.” And now we have, what, “Blarack?
The election of Barack Obama, to be sure, is a tectonic change-symbol in American politics. It’s not, of course, because the president-elect is well-spoken, attractive, Democratic, charismatic and 40-something. We’ve had one of those before: Jack Kennedy. He just wasn’t as liberal.
It’s because Obama is African American — or, as we used to say, “black.”
Even though we’ve had Colin Powell and Condi Rice, a non-white president had been uncharted parody territory for mainstream cartoonists, comedians and commentators, such as Larsen. But Obama’s blackness is fair, if challenging, game. To date, Jon Stewart, who can be smarmy and smug, has been on the money. If Obama’s not offended, why should anyone else be? None of the late-night comics has been out of line – but hardly yoked by political correctness. As it should be.
The key is for racial humor not to morph into racist rudeness and insulting stereotypes.
We know the church and state of color won’t always stay separate. That’s human nature. That’s America. That’s show biz.
Obama’s humorous “mutt” reference at his initial (president elect) press conference was as mood altering as it was self deprecating. It’s healthy — and politically astute — to laugh at yourself. And the cues to the rest of the culture are appreciated.
Too bad Larsen didn’t wait for his. Instead, he did his minstrel-era, blackface routine – in the name of proving he doesn’t play “double standards.”
In so doing, ironically, he simply proved himself devoid of the standard that matters in his business. He was neither professional – nor funny.