I was reading an article in the KAAN newsletter. It was about a program at a New Jersey college that brought in Comedians to welcome back students. One of the comedians was Amy Anderson (a Korean adoptee) who has been popping up on my computer with refreshing regularity.

Link: Comedians

Each comedian spent a significant amount of time making fun of discrimination, repeatedly impressing upon the audience the ridiculousness of stereotyping.

There are times that I think a little comedy is a good thing. Korean adoptees and parents approach discrimination and rude comments in a serious fashion that it’s no wonder it makes us crazed at times. Though I have sometimes offended people with the cavalier way that I wave off a racist phrase, I really think that sometimes you have to laugh at the silliness of the statements. If you don’t, I think that it starts to hurt too much.

Anderson joked about the drive-by discrimination she's received, telling a story about teenaged boys who drove past her yelling "ching chong."

She could only assume it was meant to be derogatory, however, since she said she doesn't speak any Asian languages. "They could have actually been saying something, but I don't know," she said.

Sometimes, I think that young people tune us out when we lecture about racism and the evils of being racist. However, when said the way Anderson and other comedians phrase their messages, I think they listen. Here they’re being told that it’s not okay, that’s it’s really stupid…and perhaps they’ll think about their words the next time they go to speak. It won’t work for everyone. Some people won’t understand the subtle approach, but imagine how many will.

If you would like to comment, but not on this site, please e-mail me at adoptkoreablog@adoptionmail.com.