Spring Break
The joke's on us
by Shana D. Lebowitz and Lital Shair
Features | 3/4/08
Posted online at 11:19 PM EST on 3/3/08
/ Last updated at 5:09 AM EST on 3/3/08
All three comedians said they draw much of their inspiration from humor related to their own ethnicities and religions.
Antler's latest stand-up comedy routine, based on her own life experiences, is titled "What to Wear When You're Fighting the Patriarchy: Lessons from the Daughter of a Jewish Feminist."
"I started doing comedy pretty much at the kitchen table," Antler said.
Once she started performing at standup clubs in New York City, where she has worked for more than 10 years, Antler says she began to search for humor in her own experiences.
"I realized I had the best material ever," she said. "My mother." Antler later referred to the active, empowered feminist as a "comedy goldmine."
Antler explained that comedy like hers has the power to expose realities in particular ethnic and religious communities.
"Comedy can bring to light important truths and make people feel uncomfortable about their situation," she said.
Yet Antler acknowledges that, while comedy can be insightful and enlightening, it is not intended to hurt people.
"There's a difference between offending somebody and making them uncomfortable," she said.
Mosely discussed her personal experience with the distinction between joking about ethnic stereotypes and being downright self-deprecating.
The New York City-based comedienne spoke to the audience with a dynamic energy and a natural grin that spread across her whole face.
While a student at Brandeis, Mosely says she was the "first and only person of color" in the improvisation troupe False Advertising.
At first, Mosely remembers, "I would make obvious jokes about my difference from my troupe-mates."
Yet Mosely ultimately recognized that, despite her ability to entertain audiences with what she calls "black jokes," making fun of herself and her ethnicity made her uncomfortable.
"Over time, I realized that wasn't really funny to me," Mosely said. "Wanting people to laugh at any cost-my own pride."
Antler's latest stand-up comedy routine, based on her own life experiences, is titled "What to Wear When You're Fighting the Patriarchy: Lessons from the Daughter of a Jewish Feminist."
"I started doing comedy pretty much at the kitchen table," Antler said.
Once she started performing at standup clubs in New York City, where she has worked for more than 10 years, Antler says she began to search for humor in her own experiences.
"I realized I had the best material ever," she said. "My mother." Antler later referred to the active, empowered feminist as a "comedy goldmine."
Antler explained that comedy like hers has the power to expose realities in particular ethnic and religious communities.
"Comedy can bring to light important truths and make people feel uncomfortable about their situation," she said.
Yet Antler acknowledges that, while comedy can be insightful and enlightening, it is not intended to hurt people.
"There's a difference between offending somebody and making them uncomfortable," she said.
Mosely discussed her personal experience with the distinction between joking about ethnic stereotypes and being downright self-deprecating.
The New York City-based comedienne spoke to the audience with a dynamic energy and a natural grin that spread across her whole face.
While a student at Brandeis, Mosely says she was the "first and only person of color" in the improvisation troupe False Advertising.
At first, Mosely remembers, "I would make obvious jokes about my difference from my troupe-mates."
Yet Mosely ultimately recognized that, despite her ability to entertain audiences with what she calls "black jokes," making fun of herself and her ethnicity made her uncomfortable.
"Over time, I realized that wasn't really funny to me," Mosely said. "Wanting people to laugh at any cost-my own pride."
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