SNL premiered their skit, ‘The Day Beyoncé Turned Black' this past Saturday and it has everyone losing their minds -- in and out of the skit.
According to SNL, the day Beyoncé released her controversial video, Formation, is the day that the world realized she was black (GASP).
The spoof plays on the frenzy of some people and news media, as they find out that Queen Bey is actually “unapologetically black”.
Titled, “The day white people lost their Beyoncé" the clip features white people stuck in an apocalyptic “bad dream” where hot sauce is carried in bags, Kerry Washington is reportedly black, and people are even unsure whether Taylor Swift is still white.
Now, we could go on to talk about all the negative aspects surrounding this skit and Beyoncé’s Formation video. The media has been saturated with critiques of the video, as well as people’s reactions to the video.
But when it comes down to it… this SNL video is just absolutely hilarious.
Dude, this killed me 😂😂 https://t.co/0rZ58YtFSG#SNL#TheDayBeyonceTurnedBlack
— Tracee Ellis Ross (@TraceeEllisRoss) February 15, 2016
And it shows exactly how humor can sometimes be a more comfortable entrance point to talk about race relations and other controversial topics.
Throughout history, humor has been used to show the absurdity of certain situations. Being able to laugh can sometimes allow people to take a step back from conflict and really see the situation as a whole. It can be a gateway to opening a conversation.
We've all heard that laughter is the best medicine, and it's true. Laughter relieves stress and can elevate your mood.
It’s an especially powerful tool for managing conflict and reducing tension when emotions are running high.
Some comedians have become icons for their ability to break down barriers and connect people. Television particularly has been a platform for barrier breaking from Star Trek’s first televised interracial kiss to a slew of black character led sitcoms in the 70s, 80s and 90s, (anyone remember Sanford and Son, Family Matters or A Different World?) to Will & Grace. Comedy has proven a special entrance point for tolerance and acceptance to come into society.
Here is just a small sampling of some recent times that humor has broken down stereotypes and tension:
30 Rock’s episode about what ‘porn for women’ would look like.
The show Blackish when he finds out his son is a Republican.
The SNL skit of three friends from Bushwick, Brooklyn, hang out on a corner and discuss what they've been up to.
Fresh Off the Boat gives a harrassment seminar.
And a Global Citizen favorite SNL skit that satirized the "dollar a day can save a life" concept.
Comedy can be a great tool to challenge society's preconceptions and when done right it can bring people together across cultural barriers. Humor that creates tolerance should be a part of every global citizens life.
NOTE: The list above is just a short one off the top of my head, let me know in the comments if you have other great examples of comedy bringing people together.