How To Fly

Sorry To Bother You  is an incredibly humorous film and has been quite a blast to watch in class. One central theme is the "white voice", which portrays to the listener that "the money doesn't matter and that I'll be going home in my Ferrari" (I definitely got the quote wrong but you get the idea). It also sounds hilarious coming from the main character, especially since you know what his actual voice sounds like. I think what the writer, Boots Riley, was trying to point out (jocularly) is privilege. Just by being a white person in America you have certain undefinable edges over other minorities, and while simplifying that into a voice sounds silly, in telemarketing all you have is your voice. It's also notable that as soon as he starts using his "white voice", Cassius isn't shown being thrust into his client's homes, as if they can't see who he really is anymore. Interestingly, his friends aren't as impressed with his "

As most of us have discovered, Paul Beatty is funny. Like really funny. The first time I've laughed aloud reading something assigned for homework funny. However, that's not what this blog post is about. Behind the facade of potty humor is dead serious political commentary. At this point in the novel, I'm not completely sure whether Paul Beatty uses humor to hide or strengthen such quips at society. One of my favorite examples of such moments is in the classroom at Gunnar's elementary school. It's clear that Gunnar sees straight through his elementary school's civil rights "education". His answer to the reflection on the story of a group of black and white elephants is especially real and thought-provoking (The elephants hated each other for their different skin colors, but Gunnar quickly points out that the elephants are completely equal in other regards, unlike their human counterparts). 4. What do you think will happen to elephants in the future?