In this episode, Patricia Morency explores the multifaceted world of stand-up comedy, focusing on Kevin Hart's recent Netflix roast and the broader cultural implications of comedy as a social critique. Delving into her personal history with comedy, she examines how jokes can both reflect and influence societal norms, racism, capitalism, and identity.Key topics:Patricia's lifelong relationship with comedy, from childhood to professional critiqueThe significance of comedy specials and the oral tradition in Black communitiesThe nuanced debate about “how far is too far” in comedy and the evolution of social normsAnalysis of Kevin Hart’s roast: Capabilities, choices, and implications of offensive jokesThe influence of capitalism and mainstream media on celebrity content and comedy ethicsTimestamps:0:00 Introduction to Comedy and Personal Connection2:19 The Roast of Kevin Hart: Context and Reactions5:07 Comedy as a Healing Space for Communities7:22 Oral Traditions in Comedy and Audience Engagement10:14 Kevin Hart's Comedy Style and Influences12:20 The Politics of Comedy and Capitalism14:48 The Impact of Kevin Hart's Roast on Society17:25 The Role of Race and Identity in Comedy19:23 Kevin Hart, Capitalism, and the Drive to Keep Working30:10 Exploring Kevin Hart's Sociopolitical Leanings33:11 Traditional Values and Masculinity in Comedy35:42 The Complexity of Cheating and Relationships40:37 The Impact of Comedy on Social Issues45:27 The Intersection of Comedy, Capitalism, and ResponsibilityResources & Links:Top 4 jokes from Eddie Murphy’s “RAW” that have changed in meaning today: https://mediacritiquechic.com/2017/11/10/top-4-jokes-from-eddie-murphys-raw-that-have-changed-in-meaning-today/Roy Wood Jr. “receipt joke”/example of call and response: https://www.tiktok.com/@lolnetwork/video/755973204250680043Anti racist psychotherapy by David Archer: AfrocentricDimensions: https://www.traumaaiduk.org/workshop-reflections-rap-strategies/White Supremacy Culture—Worship of the Written Word: https://www.whitesupremacyculture.info/worship-of-written-word.html@theconsciousleehttps://www.threads.com/@theconsciouslee/post/DYz9kz9AaTx/video-to-our-beloved-brother-kevin-hart@londalejr (comedian)https://www.threads.com/@chescaleigh/post/DYTCa-VGXMN/easily-one-of-the-best-takes-ive-heard-on-the-kevin-hart-roast-from-aComedy isn't "dead" because people called out the racist jokes at the Kevin Hart roast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYSv-lhu8yb/Trevor Noah-Kevin Hart Scaffolding https://youtu.be/LxWiLYHEdYI?si=XcGkjHFSrr_W1inf&t=2094Feeling burned out? Internalized Capitalism may be to blameFlavor Flav Roast (2007): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1037714/Shane Gillis being fired days after being hired in2019: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/shane-gillis-saturday-night-live-fired-now-hosting-rcna137161KEVIN HART IS AN ICONIC GUEST | ZIWE INTERVIEWKevin Hart doesn’t do things for money. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/HFtEp6ptd7EPhat Tuesdays (2022) ‧ Documentary ‧ 1 season: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16911310/Hysterical (2021)-Documentary: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10773654/Dark Humor Docuseries (2021): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD7nPL1U-R5ruEYap5-b2dNEiinwqK4T2The Real-Life Experiences of Black Comedians - ComedyCentral x Color of Change - Dark Humor: https://youtu.be/tTWQE_Tey80?si=wwIVD7L2alrmXu2ODrink Water & Mind Your Business: A Black Woman’s Guideto Unlearning the BS & Healing Self-Esteem: https://www.donnaoriowo.com/selfesteembookNote:This episode invites listeners to critically evaluate comedynot just as entertainment but as a social act that can influence societal norms, perceptions, and community healing.

SummaryIn this conversation, Patricia Morency discusses key aspects of autism, including its criteria, the nature of autism as a disability, and the importance of understanding the experiences of Black autistic individuals. She debunks common myths, particularly the misconception that vaccines cause autism, and highlights the lack of intersectionality in autism research and diagnosis. The conversation also addresses the racial bias present in autism diagnosis and treatment, emphasizing the need for more inclusive research practices.Resources: @blackspectrumscholar Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lapestenoire Chapters00:00 Understanding Autism: Criteria and Characteristics05:13 The Nature of Autism as a Disability08:31 Debunking Myths: Vaccines and Autism10:36 The Underrepresentation of Black Autistic Individuals18:16 Intersectionality in Autism Research and Diagnosis22:43 Racial Bias in Autism Diagnosis and TreatmentReferencesBaumgaertner Nunn, E., & Ghorayshi, A. (2025, September 25). What to know about painkillers, vaccines, genes, and autism. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/22/health/autism-tylenol-vaccines-explained.htmlDiemer, M. C., Gerstein, E. D., & Regester, A. (2022). Autism presentation in female and Black populations: Examining the roles of identity, theory, and systemic inequalities. Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 26(8), 1931–1946. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613221113501Henderson, D., Wayland, S., & White, J. (2023). Is this autism? A guide for clinicians and everyone else. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003242130Ramclam, A. N., Truong, D. M., Mire, S. S., Smoots, K. D., McNeel, M. M., Sakyi, G. J., & Daniels, F. M. (2022). Autism disparities for Black children: Acknowledging and addressing the problem through culturally responsive and socially just assessment practices. Psychology in the Schools, 59, 1445–1453. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.22646Wiesner, M., Windle, M., Kanouse, D. E., Elliott, M. N., & Schuster, M. A. (2015). DISC predictive scales (DPS): Factor structure and uniform differential item functioning across gender and three racial/ethnic groups for ADHD, conduct disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder symptoms. Psychological assessment, 27(4), 1324–1336. https://doi.org/10.1037/pas0000101

Great news: The brand-new 2nd edition of the novel Simply Platonish is available now on Amazon! Listen as I share some new updates to the book, along with a sample reading. Visit our website for more details: https://mediacritiquechic.com/simplyplatonish/

The trailer for our new book, Simply Platonish, is here! Simply Platonish is now available on Amazon/Kindle. For more details: https://mediacritiquechic.com/simplyplatonish/Spotify Video Podcast Version: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0L6MeCXGmi4MZRPyBrryXN?si=592a9e631196434cYouTube Version: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSS9_9-NWWo⁠Music: Town by BeCorbal from PixabayGraphics by CanvaNarrated by Patricia Morency

The trailer for our new book, Simply Platonish, is here! Simply Platonish is now available on Amazon/Kindle, Barnes & Noble, and through BlackGold Publishing. For more details: https://mediacritiquechic.com/my-book/ Video footage by Mixkit Pexels: Anna Shvets, Yan Krukau Tima Miroshnichenko Subtitles by Kapwing Graphics by Canva Music: Town by BeCorbal from Pixabay Narrated by Patricia Morency

Social Critiques from a Comedy Freak Perspective. In this episode, Borderline Latina tackles the age-old question: "are humans truly good?" Using an example from a 2022 Netflix film and other classic fairy tales, she discusses how aiming for goodness can deter folks from having difficult conversations for social change. Through the journey, she gets us to wonder whether we should strive for goodness or aim to be simply human.  The School for Good and Evil (2022, Netflix) Opening quote: https://www.magicalquote.com/moviequotes/i-dont-believe-that-anyone-is-truly-good-or-truly-evil/ 

If you love Media Critique Chic's content, then you wanna read my novel, Simply Platonish. Order the new second edition now on Amazon: https://a.co/d/jlhHWea Book info: Not quite love. Not quite friendship. Not quite sure.Pia is a 30-something who appears to have it all: a basic job, a tiny apartment, and a lifelong subscription to student loans. But during a virtual college reunion, one notification wrecks her peace—her two closest college friends, Jacq and Ethan, are now married. The audacity! And maybe—just maybe—she had feelings for one of them. What kind of feelings? She’s not so sure—she’s never been so sure.What follows is a sharp, awkward, and surprisingly tender rewind through her college years, where Pia, a first-gen student and a second-gen immigrant, tried to make sense of race, identity, and complicated interracial friendship dynamics… all while navigating a closeness that didn’t quite fit into the categories she’d been taught.With biting humor and bittersweet nostalgia, Simply Platonish explores the blurry lines between platonic and romantic, the weight of belonging, and what it means to come of age—again—in retrospect.More information: https://mediacritiquechic.com/simplyplatonish/

Social Critiques from a Comedy Freak Perspective. In this episode, Borderline Latina talks about her challenging, ongoing journey toward self-enlightenment within social justice education and how it’s shaped by the media. More specifically, she explores why it is unproductive for liberals and conservatives to talk s**t about each other and how progress should include taking a critical look at one's biases, including herself. Resource: Exposing Liberal Hypocrisy and Conservative Close-Mindedness | Van Jones | Big Think: https://youtu.be/zFfWv0EnHQw

"When it comes to kid’s shows, Disney and Nickelodeon dominate the stage. These two networks together have produced some of the most memorable and greatest children’s shows of all time. Even though they are both in the children’s market, they are in many ways very different from one another. One of the most notable ways is in their depiction of romance and dating..."  This episode is also available as a blog post: https://mediacritiquechic.com/2016/06/27/disney-vs-nickelodeon-the-kissing-rule/

Social Critiques from a Comedy Freak Perspective. In this episode, Borderline Latina Takes Over the concept of small talk and smashes it to the ground ‘cause she’s not about that mess. She challenges the necessity of social conventions that force people to behave in ways that may not align with their true feelings or inclinations. She also challenges the concept of niceness and its implied nature of always making others comfortable. Resources:  https://psychology.fandom.com/wiki/Social_convention  https://introvertdear.com/news/why-its-okay-for-introverts-to-keep-to-themselves-at-work/