Focusing on Jo Koy, a Comedian born to a white American father in the United States Air Force stationed in the Philippines
You will be focusing on Jo Koy, a Comedian born to a white American father in the United States Air Force stationed in the Philippines when he married Koy\’s Filipina mother. He grew up near Tacoma, Washington.
Jo Koy has struggled (perhaps more than the other comedians we are studying in this course) with whether and how to focus on his racial identity in his work. His memoir and his film delve deeply into those struggles.
Please write an essay that answers the following questions:
Question One
Let’s start with the content of Jo Koy’s Standup Comedy Specials and other performance clips (Tonight Show). How would you characterize Jo Koy’s message or themes about his immigrant community and about his and his mother’s immigrant experience in America? Also, in his Standup, when it comes to stereotypes of Filipinos, does he embrace those stereotypes? Does he challenge them? Or both?
Question Two
In this question please focus on the content of Jo Koy’s writing and various interviews with him. Consider what you have learned from Jo Koy’s memoir and from various interviews (print, podcast and on-camera). How would you characterize Jo Koy’s innermost thoughts about his role as an Filipino-American cultural representative and his approach to that role? His memoir in particular talks about his struggles. And how has he adapted to that role in the wake of his career success?
Question Three
Finally, I’d like to know your opinion of Jo Koy. What is your opinion about the way Jo Koy uses his platform? Taking all of the materials into account (performances, interviews, his book and the movie Easter Sunday), and all of the various ideas and opinions he has expressed, what is your opinion about how Jo Koy approaches his role as an Filipino-American cultural representative? Do you think he uses his platform responsibly? Do you find yourself curious to learn more about his work and viewpoints?
LENGTH: The paper should be a minimum of two pages, single spaced.
BIBLIOGRAPHY: You do not need to cite sources or include a bibliography. These are Opinion-oriented questions.
Please use these sources to help answer the questions
Requirements: 2 pages SINGLE SPACE
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