Hokum Readings

I have found Hokum, an anthology of African-American humor, to be an interesting, surprising, and confusing read. 

In regards to the first selection, “When De Co’n Pone’s Hot,” I could for the most part understand the writing but there are a few lines I could not, and therefore am confused on the meaning and context of this story.  In regards to the last story, The Bone of Contention, I enjoyed the story and especially the punch line at the end.

But the reading that affected me the most was the “Assorted Jokes Compiled by Alex Rogers.”  I found these assorted jokes to be fairly humorous, some even evoking slight chuckles and laughter from me while reading.  I believe that this was due to the set-up and the way these jokes were presented, as well as the wit of these jokes.  The perception of the joke and then the punch-line was different than expected, or was witty, which made these jokes humorous.  However, what confused me is that these jokes seem to be making fun of a colored person, or make them seem stupid and ignorant.  If some of us in this class were to say some of these jokes then we would be perceived as racist, or someone who enjoys racial humor.  So the reason I am so surprised is because these jokes, poems, and stories we are reading in Hokum are written by African-Americans, and therefore why do they find this as humorour or why do they portray themselves in humor this way.  I am not sure why I was so curious and wondering so much about these jokes, but I even read some and was discussing the context and humor with some friends.

In general, Hokum has not been my favorite read so far, and mainly I think that is due to the fact that I don’t fully understand the humor.  This could be due to the cultural context and time-period, where I am simply missing the point and the humor.