Elon James White just posted the second episode of season two of "This Week in Blackness."

I loved this video. He hits on the very issues that I always find with television channels aimed at specific minority groups. They pretend to represent that group in its entirety, yet fall prey to many harmful stereotypes. And beyond its potent and important political message, the video is just downright funny.

Last week, we had a Laughing Liberally intern show. We invited interns from progressive organizations around the city, and had seven laughing liberally comedians perform. It was great to spread the liberal comedy love!

Check out this video from the show:

Join us for our upcoming shows:

July 8: A Joint Event on Drugs in America
Author Ryan Grim discusses his book This is Your Country on Drugs. Grim will be joined by two comedians, Harry Terjanian and Costaki Economopoulos.

July 15: A Supreme Night of Comedy
In honor of the Sotomayor Confirmation Hearings, Laughing Liberally goes to the mat to take on the courts in a night that does justice to political comedy.

Does anyone actually understand what's been going on in Albany over the past few weeks?

We sure as heck don't, but the Manhattan Young Dems seem to think it has something to do with that Napoleon Dynamite movie or whatever. Kids these days.

By Lee Camp

By Elon James White

To Whom It May Concern:

Greetings. My name is Elon James White. I'm Black.

I write this letter on behalf of a lot of people that fall into the category of Average Black People. (Yes, I capitalize it, as if it were a title.) I do not claim to represent them because that would be absurd. I really, truly don't. I don't even represent my circle of friends. At any point in time one of my Black buddies will, in fact, tell me to go to hell when speaking on concepts of race, politics, or religion.

I do, however, qualify as an Average Black Person. I am neither a part of the Black intelligentsia, nor do I fall into the category of your garden-variety street Negro. A lot of folks see Black people in one of these two categories. Normally, let's be honest, it's the latter.

I don't qualify.

I do come from "the Hood." That's right. I am a born and bred Brooklynite raised in the middle of Bed-Stuy. If you aren't familiar with Bed-Stuy, perhaps you have never listened to gangster rap. You're probably also unfamiliar with Jay-Z, Biggie Smalls, or the thousands of songs that yell out "Brooklyn!" and then give a shout-out to Bed-Stuy. It's fine. Just understand that Bed-Stuy has a primarily negative connotation and for many years was used in boasts to gain respect or fear because it's an incredibly violent environment.

In other words, you could get shot, son.

Speaking of which, I am the son of a single mother. My father is in prison. My grandfather was a pastor and I grew up in the church. I, without shame, also enjoy fried chicken, watermelon, ribs, and orange soda. I can have an incredibly in-depth debate on the best five MCs ever. My credit isn't great and I've been shot.

With facts like this I qualify as a stereotypical Black person right?

But I am also a computer programmer. I've been known to quote Nietzsche. I, on occasion, host dinner parties where I serve five-course meals, including a specialty of mine, White Truffle Tilapia (it's delightful). I have the entire John Williams discography and wear a backpack that is emblazoned with the Thundercats insignia.

Those with one half of that story shake their head at the sheer mass of stereotypes I carry. Then those with the other half question if I even understand the Black experience at all. Some refer to me as someone who "made it out." I currently live in Crown Heights. Some say "You're not like the others." Most people I interact with are very similar to me.

I am an Average Black Person.

So, as an ABP, I have a few requests:

Media.
Please stop referring to blacks as a monolith. I can't possibly express to you the different types of Black people that exist. We neither move as an entity, nor do we move as three or four entities. For every Sharpton, there's a Steele. And for every Sharpton and Steele there are a hundred folks in the middle. What we share is a past, which on occasion helps shape our view on things. Also? Obama is not a unicorn. Please stop acting like Obama and his family are magical in the Black community. Just because some of you may not have seen a Negro like this doesn't mean they don't exist. Lots of smart black folk living with their smart mates and their cute smart kids. So please remember. Obama? Not a unicorn. Black people? Not one voice: I don't care what the supposed Black leaders try to claim.

Supposed Black Leaders.
Please stop speaking for us as if we were a monolith. This is not the 1960s. We don't need a Martin Luther King, Jr. or a Malcom X. You speak for yourselves and your view on what's happening. You also can't police black people. There isn't an us. Are there issues within the Black community? Absolutely, but it's not everybody as much as it is certain groups, most time classes that are in need of help and focus. Hence you can't speak for "Blacks." There are people who need your help and don't want you speaking for them. Oh, and for the love of all that is holy, could you please stop critiquing Obama simply to show you aren't drinking the kool-aid? I get it. You're sugar-free. Got it.

Critics Of Obama.
Hey, um...guess what Black people are not? A monolith. We are not holding Obama on a pedestal. Some critique him harshly (and personally I feel unjustly) and others love him. This is the case with every president. Obama is not the spokesperson for Black people. He is a symbol of hope. He is a symbol of opportunity in a land where opportunity for us seemed nonexistent. He's a symbol of a fight where people cried and died and sacrificed in order for the opportunity for him to exist. But his actions are his actions and have to be judged. Just not four months after he walked in the door with one of the worst clean up jobs in the countries history. You may critique him without critiquing Blacks' ability to critique him.

The hypocrisy of saying we are not One, and yet speaking for the exact group for which I just emphatically denied exists, is not lost on me. Perhaps there are Black people who absolutely want to be spoken for and referred to as if we were one big team. I acknowledge the possibility, but if this was the majority people like Dyson and Smiley would be way more important, and let's be honest: they aren't. I hope that my message is clear. After reading this, the next time you talk to a Black person you can feel comfortable in now knowing with every fiber of your being that you have no clue what they think or feel based on their skin color.

But if they're wearing a Soulja Boy shirt you may disregard this essay and judge them immediately.

Follow Elon James White on Twitter: www.twitter.com/elonjames

While the current health care is bringing most of us to tears, our Laughing Liberally comedians are helping us laugh about it. Check out Harry Terjanian and Lee Camp as they make light of the often depressing health care debate.

For more comedy, come to Laughing Liberally tonight.

The Laughing Liberally Intern Show
Wed, June 24 - 9 pm
www.laughingliberally.org

Laughing Liberally invites you to come out for an evening of laughs about copy machines, underpaid work, and the politics of intern life.

Join Laughing Liberally and interns from dozens of progressive organizations and campaigns for an evening of internship humor, political punchlines, and a lineup of comedians from Comedy Central, The Onion, CNN, and MTV.

Featuring:
Lee Camp
Harry Terjanian
Katie Halper
Elon James White
Costaki Economopoulos
Hari Kondabolu
Juliet Jeske

Admission: $10 or $5 for progressive interns and staff who RSVP in advance to livingliberally@gmail.com

The Tank - 354 West 45th St btw 8th & 9th
www.thetanknyc.org

One of our spies snuck into a meeting of the evil right-wing organization HAARM (Healthy Americans Against Reforming Medicine) last week and uncovered a nasty plot to undermine our efforts toward healthcare reform. Watch, and prepare to be shocked, disgusted and amused.

Looking to freak yourself out even MORE? Check these out:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhpUG4apgrE
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoHCmq2lhe4

By Lee Camp

Here's a recap from last Wednesday's Laughing Liberally show that was partnered with the United States Students Association (USSA). Check out comedians Harry Terjanian, Scott Blakeman, Myq Kaplan, Elon James White, and Lee Camp as they tackle topics like college, Sonia Sotomayor, the end of racism, and health care.

Like what you see?
Check out Laughing Liberally's upcoming events:

6/24 Laughing Liberally Intern Show, 9pm
Laughing Liberally comedians take on office politics at an event aimed at connecting interns and staff at progressive organizations.

7/15 A Supreme Night of Comedy, 7:30pm
Laughing Liberally commentary in honor of Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation hearings.

All events held at:
The Tank - 354 West 45th St btw 8th and 9th

By Lee Camp

Check out this video about a Virginia high school girl suspended 2 weeks for birth control: