African American comedy

African American comedy has had a substantial role in American culture from minstrel shows, vaudeville, blackface, and coon songs to some of the world's most popular comedians, shows and filmmakers.
Darryl Littleton and Mel Watkins have written about the subject. Paul Beatty edited Hokum: An Anthology of African-American Humor. So Why We Laugh; Black Comedians in Black Comedy is a documentary film. Dexter G. Gordon wrote about humor in African American discourse.

History

worked on theatrical shows. George Walker was a performer. Ernest Hogan was a performer in shows. Ebony Film Corporation's short comedies drew controversy. Peter P. Jones' film company in Chicago filmed various subjects including vaudeville acts. Will Marion Cook, J. Rosamond Johnson, and James Weldon Johnson were also involved in musical theater.