I got together with a few friends last night for a quick bite and a movie. We checked moviefone at Pop Burger on 9th and found Martin Scorsese’s The Departed still playing at the Clearview on 23rd. On our way up 8th Avenue, with about an hour to kill, we stopped to grab some coffee and ducked into Barracuda to warm up a bit. Just so happens there was a standup comedy show happening in the back. A hilarious overweight lesbian whose name I’ve been searching for but can’t find (hopefully to be added later) had the crowd jumping in their seats; there’s nothing cozier than a fat lesbian who can make you laugh.

At one point during our twenty minute intrusion, she (inevitably) inlcuded the token straight couple in the front row. She asked, “why is it that straight people ask the dumbest questions?” Even before she finished the question she added something like, “not you guys, though. I think it’s really cool you’re here. No seriously, you’re really cool for being here.” I was waiting for a witty, sarcastic self-retort to the seemingly cliche, if not contrived, compliment. But none came. She just gave a sincere smile and continued to the joke, which featured a question about why gay people like rainbows so much. the answer? “Because all gay people love Skittles, of course.” The crowd was in stitches, including the straight couple in front, who were by now feeling fully integrated into the mob of rolling homos, sharing in the laughter and fun.

I thought a few other moments like the “no, my neighbor and I will not be sharing sugar on this plane” joke warranted a few more points on the laugh-o-meter, but I must admit to a certain discomfort when she mimicked mental-retardation to illustrate how an unpleasant attitude could avoid unwanted conversation with a total stranger during a long flight. Why was I uncomfortable? Naturally, because someone in the audience could very well have been mentally retarded or, at the very least, had a loved one who was. Call me “affected” or “overly-pc” or whatever else you want, but the fact remains that someone’s laughter can very easily become someone else’s embarrassment or worse yet, pain. Creativity need not sacrifice good taste in making someone’s daily frustration and misfortune the butt of a fleeting joke no-one will ever really remember.

On our way out, another straight couple, Starbucks coffee in hand, was entering. As I held the door, they hesitated. The woman asked, “what’s going on in there?” I told her a comedy show and suggested they check it out. She then motioned to her coffee cup and asked, “do you think they’ll let us?” I, knowing fully that she was referring to entering the establishment with coffee cups in their hands, said, “yeah, sure. Why not? They’ll just give you something to put the coffee in.” My friend on the other hand, just laughed as we passed, thinking she was asking if they’d let them in. It was a good joke to end the moment with. What was crazier than the thought of gay people not allowing straight people to enter their club during a comedy routine? Needless to say, I forgot about the incident and The Departed was an incredible three-hour escape into Boston’s South End, and the fall of mobster Frank Costello as only Scorsese could create.

So, today I’m checking out Jasmyne Cannick and notice something rather interesting (given last night’s observation). Being singled out during a comedy routine is never a pleasant thing, but imagine being black and having a comedian tell you, “[f]ifty years ago we’d have you upside down with a f***ing fork up your ass,” then continue by calling you the N word numerous times in front of 300 or so other guests. Michael Richards, better known as “Kramer” from the hit-sitcom Seinfeld, did exactly that. He was caught on tape shouting racist remarks during his performance at L.A.’s Laugh Factory over the weekend. [Click here to see the amateur video taken at the club.] Perhaps its Richards’ poorly executed answer to Borat, the colorful character perhaps best known for his racial slurs. Paul Rodriguez, also a performer that night, said to CNN, “freedom of speech has its limitations and I think Michael Richards found those limitations.”

After watching the video, it’s apparent that Richards isn’t very well adjusted, even if the act is all part of his new “showbiz routine.” Irresponsible isn’t the word. Ignorant, hateful; I think these descriptors better broach the air with which Richards so forcefully shouts the words, “he’s just a n***er.” Meanwhile, Richards’ “fifty years ago” remark (referring to lynching) made me think of my friend’s misinterpretation of the woman’s question, “do you think they’ll let us.” It was only fifty years ago that black people weren’t allowed to enter establishments owned by whites. They weren’t allowed to drink from the same water fountains in parks, or use the same bathrooms, or frequent the same clubs, comedy included. It seems crazy to us now, but segregation was in full swing in this country not too long ago.

The many people who left the Laugh Factory that night (whites and blacks, alike) were driven out by the same ignorance that made segregation perfectly acceptable fifty years ago. What’s changed, is the fact that people can choose whether or not they want to support ignorant, washed-up turkeys like Michael Richards.