The Colbert Report: Racism is Over

Tags:  prejudice/discrimination, race/ethnicity, color blindness, colorblind racism, comedy, diversity, post-racial America, racism, 06 to 10 mins
Year: 2008
Length:  7:30
Access:  The Colbert Report

Summary:  This clip from the Colbert Report, filmed two weeks after Obama was elected president, includes Colbert's claim that "race is over" and shows Fredrick Douglass and Harriet Tubman in party hats, and a flashing banner that says "Racism: 1776-2008."   In addition to being a useful starting point to ask if racism and racial inequalities are truly "over" after Obama's election, it offers a way of talking about colorblind-ness and racial diversity.  In the second half of the clip, Colbert interviews Newark mayor Cory Booker, where Booker emphasizes celebrating, rather than ignoring, racial diversity.  At one point, Colbert states "I don't see you as black and I hope you don't see me as white," which evokes laughter from the audience, which could be analyzed in discussion as to why people find that funny. 

Submitted By:  Margaret Austin Smith

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