Talking Shit, Egos, and Tough Skin: Humor Among Elite Black Men

Abstract

Extant research considers humor integral to the Black experience. Previous work on the topic, however, mainly focuses on humor among lower-class Blacks and remains disconnected from broader sociological research on humor and small group culture. Drawing on semistructured, in-depth interviews with 29 members and over 30 months of participant observation this article explores humor in an elite Black men’s social club. “Talking shit” is central to sociability among members, signaling belongingness (having “tough skin") and cementing cohesion on interpersonal and group levels through the deconstruction of egos. By finding amusement in the ambiguities of social identity members interpret its boundaries and articulate feelings in the process of creating and sustaining a culture of hilarity. Ultimately, the analysis illuminates how social identity shapes the content and processes of humor within small group culture.