Check It Out: Canadian comedian doesn’t attract politically correct audiences
By Joan Janzen
joanjanzen@yahoo.com
Russell Peters is a Canadian stand-up comedian who is on the list of the world’s highest paid comedians, which means people think he’s funny. He said one of the happiest times in his childhood was when their family finally got a car that had air conditioning, but his dad wouldn’t turn it on because it cut down gas mileage.
Comedians often say the things people are thinking, but don’t say out loud. Russell said it’s a sign of a healthy society when Canadians are accepting of comedians.
Russell fills arenas and stadiums, and is known as a comedian who brings in some of the largest audiences, speaking to tens of thousands of people. However he said he won’t go to university campuses to perform. “I don’t need to be policed by somebody who doesn’t really understand the world. I just say no thank you to university requests.”
During his performance he insults one ethnic group after another, yet everyone seems to be waiting their turn to be insulted. Russell says he gets away with it because his talking points are from the other person’s perspective. How does he know their perspective? “I just pay attention when I travel around. I go to malls and ask local people simple questions, like how different people are treated,” he says. Russell’s unique technique gives people the freedom to laugh at themselves.
Russel said he knows right away by a person’s body language, which way they’re taking the information he’s giving. “It’s usually younger guys who have an attitude. That’s when I use my fatherly instinct and tell them something like ‘Shut up, I’m talking now’,” he said.
However, not everyone is permitted to speak out boldly, as Russell Peters does. Recently a Canadian family doctor in British Columbia wrote a letter to the Provincial Health Officer. He wrote, “In our small community, we have one person dead and three people who look as though they will be permanently disabled, following their first dose of the vaccine.” He also mentioned “numerous” allergic reactions.
Following his letter, he is no longer allowed to work in the ER department, although he still can work in his private practice. This has resulted in his income being slashed in half.
A statement by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia and the First Nations Health Authority said his statements contradict public health orders and guidance, and are thus confusing and potentially harmful to patients. But wasn’t this doctor simply reporting medical results?
In another instance, Father Altman from Wisconsin has been asked to resign by his superior (bishop) because he told his parishioners “If you’re a Catholic you can’t be a Democrat.” Although it’s been publicly stated that Democrats can’t be pro-life, this priest was accused of being “divisive and ineffective”. Nevertheless people are coming from all over the country to see him.
When people come to hear Russell Peters he says, “I get more complaints from people when I don’t talk about them. You shouldn’t be at a show if you can’t laugh at yourself.”
Russell’s dad, who moved to Canada from India, said “Son, I bought a barbecue. I’m inviting the neighbours over and when they eat our food they’ll think I’m Canadian.” Russel replied, “When they eat our food they’ll know you’re not Canadian. Our food has flavour.”
Comedians are rewarded with laughter and approval when they speak the truth, unlike the Canadian doctor and Father Altman, who are being punished.
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