Comic Views and Metaphysical Dilemmas: Shattering Cultural Images through Self-Definition and Representation by

Using the paradigm of Gary Alan Fine's "folklore diamond," this essay analyzes comedic material of contemporary African American women comics. This comedic material conveys the uniqueness of African American women's position at the intersections of race, gender, and class dynamics, thereby marking the performers as not only Black, not only female, but as Black women entertainers who are changing the face of Black women's comedy.