While scrolling through Netflix and avoiding the real adult responsibilities that I have, I was suggested by the ribbon to watch Vir Das, a comedian whom I've never heard of, and his Netflix special "Abroad Understanding." While I was expecting a funny comedy special sprinkled with ethnic jokes and funny stories, I was met with so much more.
For me, this special conveyed itself as more of a TEDx talk than a comedic attempt. Filmed half in New Dehli, India and half in New York City, New York, this show uses the same jokes and illustrates the difference in cultural understanding. I am usually wildly turned off by jokes based on the topics of nationalism, politics, religion, or belief systems, but truth be told, this was so tastefully done.
One of the first jokes he makes while being filmed in NYC is based on the fact that he, being raised in India, has an accent. He mentions that he is not "doing a bit or impersonating some hilarious relative", which brings to light the fact that all "ethnic" comedians in the US comedic market poke fun at their family members by exaggerating and stereotyping their actions. It calls to mind the way that I talk about my own family, Greek as they are, and the ridiculous things that we do. Now, there is nothing inherently negative about that kind of humor; it is relatable and good-willed. The point it that this show isn't about being Indian, it's about being different. It's about having a different viewpoint and sharing that with the world.
Throughout the hour long special, Vir Das pokes fun at Muslim and Hindu ideologies, being as they are the two largest religions in India. These jokes also go over pretty well in America, but once he starts in *mildly* on Christian tradition, the crowd begins to jeer a little. As a practicing Christian, I was not even offended, I agreed with him. Simply put, he mentions the fact that in America, Christmas, the celebration of Christ's birth, has become entirely about commercialism and "trees". Why is it that we have a culture that is so comfortable making jokes of other, but wildly uncomfortable in the same seat?
Toward the end of the show, he brings up a friendly adage about a beach town in Tamil Nadu, India where the natives tend to spend their time sunbathing and darkening their skin. While a black man is vacationing, a native points to him and says "You. You black. Blackie," which most people would categorize as flagrantly racist. Vir Das points out that this is not at all racist as the man's intentions were not malicious, but they were curious and questioning. This adage is a push toward acknowledging our differences rather than sweeping them under the rug and pretending they do not exist.
At the end of the day, I found this special to be not only entertaining, but informative. I was blown away by his candor, sincerity, and somehow respectful irreverence toward all different walks of life. 10/10 would recommend spending an hour of your life listening and thinking about what this man has presented. May we acknowledge our difference in hopes of somehow becoming less different.
