Race, Racism and Political Correctness in Comedy: A Psychoanalytic Exploration

Comedy is subversive because it challenges and redefines our relations to race and racism through the lens of political correctness. This book provides an innovative and multidisciplinary approach to the study of comedy and popular culture, engaging with the social and cultural tensions inherent to our understandings of political correctness. It adopts a psychoanalytic/philosophical framework to explore issues of race, racism, and political correctness in the BBC's 'mockumentary, The Office (UK), and a variety of television comedies.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 240 pages
\n Publication date: 26 April 2021
\n Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
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Comedy holds a unique power to challenge and redefine our perceptions of race and racism, particularly in the context of political correctness. This groundbreaking new book delves into the significance of comedy in this regard, offering a comprehensive and interdisciplinary exploration of the subject. By viewing comedy as both a constitutive element of social interaction and a crucial tool for assessing what is often deemed "politically correct," the book provides a fresh and innovative perspective on the study of comedy and popular culture.

Through its engagement with the social and cultural tensions inherent in our understanding of political correctness, the book argues that comedy possesses the potential to subversively redefine our approach to "PC Debates," the ongoing contestations surrounding free speech and the popular portrayal of political correctness in the media and society.

Aided by the insightful contributions of Slavoj Žižek and Alenka Zupančič, this unique analysis adopts a psychoanalytic/philosophical framework to examine issues of race, racism, and political correctness within the widely acclaimed BBC "mockumentary," The Office (UK), as well as a diverse range of television comedies.

Drawing from a wealth of psychoanalysis, social psychology, and philosophical insights, this book will appeal to postgraduate students and academic researchers with an interest in comedy, race/racism, multiculturalism, political correctness, and television/film. By exploring the complex interplay between humor, social norms, and power dynamics, it offers valuable insights into the ways in which comedy can both challenge and reinforce our societal beliefs and attitudes.

In conclusion, this book is a vital contribution to the field of cultural studies, providing a fresh and thought-provoking perspective on the role of comedy in shaping our understanding of race and racism in the contemporary world. It is an essential read for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of the complex dynamics between humor, politics, and social change.

\n Weight: 382g\n
Dimension: 154 x 233 x 18 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780367508937\n \n