Hegemonic Disassociation: How Hegemonic Comedians Remain Authentic

• In Event: Sociology of Culture Section Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): 20. Identity, Authenticity, and Humor

Abstract

Status denigration literature has established that high-status actors are perceived as inauthentic and inconsiderate by low- and high-status actors alike because both groups of actors expect that individuals only pursue status because they are self-interested, because they seek the benefits or rewards attached to that status. Less is known about the ways high-status individuals navigate high-status denigration. This study uses the Los Angeles stand-up comedy scene as a site to examine the strategies that high-status actors use to distance themselves from the inauthenticity linked to their hegemonic statuses. Stand-up comedians use these strategies when constructing their comedy sets in order to garner audience approval. I introduce the idea of Hegemonic Disassociation, drawing on data from ethnographic observations and interviews with working stand-up comedians to show the concept at work. I define Hegemonic Disassociation as the various strategies individuals with hegemonic traits and identities use to recuperate lost authenticity and morality associated with their hegemonic identities. These strategies also work to reinforce the hegemony of the individual. I present four specific strategies of Hegemonic Disassociation that comics use to construct their sets: 1. Borrowing self-presentation from marginalized groups, 2. Discursive distancing from hegemonic identities, 3. Highlighting pro-social behavior related to their dominance, 4. Self-deprecation. I show that individuals across races, genders, and sexualities practice these four strategies of Hegemonic Disassociation. This work speaks to literature on masculinities and femininities as it touches on the changing strategies of both hegemonic men and women. It also speaks to the ever-evolving nature of white supremacy and the covert strategies white individuals take to obscure and cement their privilege. Finally, this study speaks to the interconnected nature of these strategies and notes how the intersectional identities of comedians create the need to distance from inauthenticity linked to multiple strands of their identities.

Author

• Riley Ceperich, University of California-Los Angeles