Perhaps I can re-cap the discussion to some extent and put it into some perspective.

Various ethnic groups do and can make self-deprecating humor (humour for our forebears across the pond). Jackie Mason and Robert Klein come to mind vis a vis Jewish humor.   Though Mason has crossed the line lately and is offensive. Dick Gregory and Richard Pryor surely can do self deprecating and pointed Black humor.   The Italians are also well represented by Pat Cooper among others.

My point is that there are a few avenues open for ethnic humor that makes a point:

The above---self deprecation
The point makers like Lenny Bruce, Dick Gregory, and the late (sadly) Godfrey Cambridge who use humor to skewer the bigots and show the meaningless of words when used as slurs.

THEN--there are the poor sad alleged comics who think they can do "?stand-up" and when heckled cannot respond properly and their true feelings come out---Richards.   

Now, if he and Mel Gibson can start their own lodge I do think they can find an appropriate outfit to wear---and so reasonable---there is a sale on sheets at Bed Bath and Beyond.   Oh---bet they go somewhere --they best check ownership of the company first.


Bill Hahn