Key and Peele approach to racial topics

LP: Compare and contrast how the Key and Peele sketches treat US racial politics with other works/texts you have covered during the course. Consider how they treat the topic, and the way they use authorial choices to contribute to this.

Key and Peele take an interesting approach to racial issues in the United States. Many of the works we've worked with in the past that tackle this issue do it with an emphasis on respect and offer really solid thoughtful commentary on racial issues. Key and Peele take a somewhat unorthodox approach in that they use comedy to critique and comment on racial issues. Other works/texts tended to emphasize understanding and offer arguments regarding racial issues, Key and Peele treat racial politics with more simplicity, signaling that this really isn't a complicated situation, black people deserve dignity, safety, and equal opportunity and rather than start arguing why they approach the situation more to mock and comment on the racism built into the foundations of American society. Black people shouldn't have to argue why they deserve equality, dignity, etc. so Key and Peele use comedy to mock racist institutions instead, be it law enforcement, pride in "southern heritage" or what black people have to put up with in everyday life due to racism. Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl explores the horrors of slavery, Kendrick Lamar's songs critique racism and celebrate black community, MLK's speeches are passionate calls to reform and a better, more equal, future and Key and Peele openly mock and demean racism, especially how it manifests in day to day life. In my opinion, all of these approaches are important and help tackle racism in US racial politics.