Stand-Up Nation: Humor and American Identity

While some stand-ups may position themselves as spokespersons for "everybody" or for the entire nation (even as they claim individuality), most stand-ups also represent the point-of-view of a particular demographic defined by race, gender, class, or sexual orientation. Defining American identity has never been easy, but there was a time when American-at least for those Americans, mostly white and male, who controlled the discourse-could be defined by a belief in natural rights, a strong work ethic, and a celebration of the capacity for the individual to overcome hardships.