Oh, the joys of social media outrage. As if there’s ever a day that the internet isn’t fuming about something. Today’s flavor of indignation, however, might take the cake. Why? Because it involves none other than Druski, a wildly talented comedian known for his spot-on impersonations. And guess what he’s being accused of now? Racism against black people! Yes, you read that right—Druski, a black comedian, in whiteface is somehow doing harm to the very community he’s part of.
For those not in the loop, Druski has previously done whiteface bits before, often portraying the quintessential “white friend” with hilariously exaggerated quirks. His latest sketch, though, has him donning the persona of a white redneck NASCAR fan, complete with a tan line mullet, tattoos, and all. It’s both hilarious and eerily convincing. In fact, some say the makeup artist deserves an Oscar nomination for this transformation.
And yet, the buzz on the web is that these impersonations have somehow offended people. Apparently, a black comedian dressing up in whiteface and acting out a character who navigates the world of NASCAR is racist to black people. It’s quite the mental gymnastics routine. It reminds us of the time when Robert Downey Jr. donned a different character’s skin tone in a movie satire and garnered an Oscar nomination for his efforts. The movie was even met with critical acclaim, and no one questioned its comedic value back then.
Comedy, by its very nature, is meant to push boundaries, make us think, and, most importantly, make us laugh. Just like “Tropic Thunder” from 2008, Druski’s intention is to entertain. Comedy that offends everyone a little bit tends to be the most impactful—it brings people together to share a laugh, to see that we’re not so different after all. So, instead of wagging fingers in outrage, perhaps folks should unclench a bit, remember the joy of laughter, and see the sketch for what it is.
In the grand circus of modern-day controversies, this too shall pass. And just like Druski’s sketch, we should all learn to not take everything so seriously. After all, isn’t life a bit more enjoyable when we can laugh at ourselves—and at the whiteface-wearing, NASCAR-loving Druskis of the world? Seems like a much healthier approach than spending our days scrolling through yet another social media uproar.
