Even at a time of heightened racial tension in this country, popular and well-traveled comedian Mike Epps is trying to make a lighthearted point about racism: just laugh about it.
Not that he doesn't believe in the negative effects of racism. But, in his new AOL show, "That's Racist with Mike Epps," the comedian explores how stereotypes were formed in the United States and if it's really as sinister as they seem. Episode titles include, "Black People Love Fried Chicken" and "Jews Are Cheap."
Epps sat down with HuffPost Live's Josh Zepps on Tuesday to chat about the new show.
"Well, the problem is that racists laugh about and have stereotypes within their own race. So you got these races that talk about each other, they laugh about the same thing, you know?" Epps said. "Black people laugh amongst each other about things, Jewish people laugh amongst each other about things. It only seems to be racist when another race talks about another race."
So is it ultimately racist when people of the same race joke about stereotypes?
"No. It's fine. It's camaraderie," he said. "But then you start talking about the other race and it's like, 'Oh, it's racism.'"
Whether you agree with Epps or not, he just wants you to smile.
"The world has set things up the way it's set up. That's what the show is about," he said. "It's about bringing a light side to it and educating people up on it and showing them, 'Hey, we can laugh at this.' Because racism is real in America right now."
Watch the full HuffPost Live conversation here. Sign up here for Live Today, HuffPost Live's new morning email that will let you know the newsmakers, celebrities and politicians joining us that day and give you the best clips from the day before!
Before You Go
