“Somebody Going to Get Hurt Real Bad”: The Race-based Comedy of Russell Peters

Abstract

The popularity of comedian Russell Peters, with his ethnic-based humour, bears examining for what it may tell us about the acceptable limits of racialized discourse. Peters, a Canadian of South Asian descent, has an extensive, ethnically diverse fan base around the world. In his work, Peters skewers all of these fans, often drawing upon heavy accents, caricatures, and in-jokes informed by common stereotypes of each group. Such techniques can validate racist assumptions but may also diminish them by bringing them into the open. This article examines comedy’s potential as a venue for frank and engaging discussions of race and diversity.