Bernie Mac is the latest comedian to face backlash for his offensive stand-up routine at a fundraiser for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama last Friday night. Mac’s off-color jokes about sex angered some of Obama’s supporters who paid $2,300 to attend the event.
“My little nephew came to me and he said, ‘Uncle, what’s the difference between a hypothetical question and a realistic question?'” Mac said. “I said, I don’t know, but I said, ‘Go upstairs and ask your mother if she’d make love to the mailman for $50,000.'”
Is it funny? Yes. Is it appropriate for a presidential fundraiser? No. It’s not the first time a famous comedian has come under fire for making off-color jokes at a political or corporate event . Last year, Black Enterprise publisher Earl Graves, Sr. pulled the plug on Eddie Griffin when the comedian used the N-word at the Black Enterprise/Pepsi Golf & Tennis Challenge.
Perhaps, Mac’s misstep is a lesson for comedians that one should exercise discretion when choosing material for political, corporate, charity and religious events.
Non-offensive, clean humor is the best approach.
