Q

Comedy won't stop racism — but it helps people survive, says Aamer Rahman

Australian comedian Aamer Rahman isn't afraid to poke fun at racism, but he doesn't actually expect his cutting jokes to diminish bigotry.
Comedy won't dismantle the "massive global structure" of racism, says activist-turned-comic Aamer Rahman — but it affirms people's lived realities. (Aamer Rahman/Facebook)

Australian comedian Aamer Rahman isn't afraid to poke fun at racism, but he doesn't actually expect his cutting jokes to change anything.

Today he joins Shad to explain why his viral bit about reverse racism is more about affirming an experience than attracting converts, and how the Islamophobia that followed 9/11 pushed him toward a career in comedy. 

WEB EXTRA | Aamer Rahman performs a bit about reverse racism from his album Fear of a Brown Planet.