African American Humor: The Best Black Comedy from Slavery to Today

Mel Watkins

Lawrence Hill Books, 2002 - African American proverbs - 374 pages

This collection of anecdotes, tales, jokes, toasts, rhymes, satire, riffs, poems, stand-up sketches, and snaps documents the evolution of African American humor over the past two centuries. It includes routines and writings from such luminaries as Bert Williams, Butterbeans & Susie, Stepin Fetchit, Moms Mabley, Ralph Ellison, Langston Hughes, Redd Foxx, Ishmael Reed, Bill Cosby, Richard Pryor, Martin Lawrence, and Chris Rock. This anthology includes classic stage routines, literary examples, and witty quotations presented in their entirety.

Contents

• FOREWORD BY DICK GREGORY: 1
• Why Mr Possum Loves Peace: 8
• Mr Fox Is Again Vicitmized: 14

About the author

Mel Watkins is a former editor for the "New York Times Book Review" and the author of "On the Real Side" and "Dancing with Strangers." He lives in New York City.

Bibliographic information

• Title: African American Humor: The Best Black Comedy from Slavery to Today; African American Humor: The Best Black Comedy from Slavery to Today, Mel Watkins; Library of Black America
• Editor: Mel Watkins
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Lawrence Hill Books, 2002
• Original from: the University of California
• Digitized: Apr 29, 2008
• ISBN: 1556524307, 9781556524301
• Length: 374 pages