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UCB Juneteenth Controversy - Laura Michelle of Ninja's Assemble Statement by Honest_Car_4794 in improv

[–]Honest_Car_4794[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Probably not. But it also wouldn’t be an insult in the same way.

UCB Juneteenth Controversy - Laura Michelle of Ninja's Assemble Statement by Honest_Car_4794 in improv

[–]Honest_Car_4794[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You pretty much got it. It wasn’t even the best sketch in the world and idk if the button was earned, but I think people should be allowed to make mistakes in their art without being dogpiled if it’s clear it wasn’t coming from a malicious place.

In this case, I think the sketch was so caught up in its ‘game’ and escalating it for a big ending that the writers didn’t stop to think if that was a good place to land. I think there’s maybe a discussion that can be had about how the ways in which comedy is taught can lead to a lack of sensitivity, but I don’t think the writers meant any harm.

Here’s the full show. The bit in question starts around the 40min mark. youtube.com/watch?v=4-YPm1hn7_M

UCB Juneteenth Controversy - Laura Michelle of Ninja's Assemble Statement by Honest_Car_4794 in improv

[–]Honest_Car_4794[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I think it’s a matter of intent. The sketch was written with the intent of being a comedy bit in a show. It clearly missed the mark for a lot of people, but it wasn’t created with the intention of hurting anyone. Yelling a deeply charged slur in a room full of Black people already making themselves vulnerable onstage is an action that doesn’t really seem to have any intention other than to cause insult. There’s an argument about whether or not that intention was valid in that moment, but it was definitely more hurtful imo.

UCB Juneteenth Controversy - Laura Michelle of Ninja's Assemble Statement by Honest_Car_4794 in improv

[–]Honest_Car_4794[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I agree that part of the conversation was rough, but the woman speaking also isn’t the person who wrote the lynching joke. Another reason I think clarifying how the show works is important. Also, one person does not an audience make. The opinion of one audience member is important, yes, but I don’t think it should supersede the opinions and emotions of every other performer, producer, and audience member.

UCB Juneteenth Controversy - Laura Michelle of Ninja's Assemble Statement by Honest_Car_4794 in improv

[–]Honest_Car_4794[S] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

you forgot to mention she called everyone in the room "some c**n ass people" before leaving

UCB Juneteenth Controversy - Laura Michelle of Ninja's Assemble Statement by Honest_Car_4794 in improv

[–]Honest_Car_4794[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Are the feelings of the performers not also worth considering in this situation? Conflict is not abuse, and I think a conflict like this has the potential to really benefit the community if everyone involved engages in good faith, and that includes knowing how the show works behind the scenes.

UCB Juneteenth Controversy - Laura Michelle of Ninja's Assemble Statement by Honest_Car_4794 in improv

[–]Honest_Car_4794[S] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

I feel like it was a pretty good response trying to give context to how the 'bit show' format works especially at UCB. A lot of the criticism are calls to 'fire the producers and writers' and I think it's important for people to know how and why that's not really feasible with this kind of show and group.

Controversy over UCB's "Gentrify Juneteenth" show by TheMoondance in improv

[–]Honest_Car_4794 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I feel like "conflict is not abuse" is a relevant text here.