Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents vii
3. Acknowledgments ix
4. Introduction Enter Laughing 1
5. Chapter 1 From Negro to Black Coming of Comic Age in the Civil Rights Era 14
6. Chapter 2 Murphy and Rock From the “Black Guy” to the “Rock Star” 69
7. Chapter 3 Post-Soul Comedy Goes to the Movies Cinematic Adjustments and [Pop] Cultural Currency 99
8. Chapter 4 Crossover Diva Whoopi Goldberg and Persona Politi 132
9. Chapter 5 Dave Chappelle Provocateur in the Promised Land 178
10. Epilogue Laughing Sad, Laughing Mad 237
11. Notes 245
12. Index 269
13. About the Author 275