A blog for the Civil Rights Movement class at Rhodes College, Fall 2014
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Addressing Issues of Race with Comedy
As comedian Jon Stewart puts it, comedy can be “A catharsis
way of processing emotions that might otherwise be undigested”. Comedy is
utilized in ways that addresses sensitive issues without being as blunt about them
and hiding behind the protection of “humor”. Although I think this protection
can be abused when addressing serious and offensive issues, it can also be very
useful in opening up conversation that many people do not have the courage to
say in a serious tone, or do not feel the emotional strength to talk about.
This clip of a skit done by Louis CK is a great example of
Louis talking about white privilege in ways that are very honest and real, but may
seem insensitive if brought up outside of comedy. He uses examples such as “Here’s
how great it is to be white- I can get in a time machine and go to any time and
it would be fucking awesome when I get there. That is exclusively a white
privilege.” and “I don’t wanna go to the future and find out what happens to
white people because we’re gonna pay hard for this shit.”
The next clip of Jon Stewart on air on his “Daily Show” on
Comedy Central was filmed the day that it was announced that Eric Garner’s
killer would not be indicted. Jon Stewart, almost speechless, says early in the
clip “I don’t know. I honestly don’t know what to say. If comedy is tragedy
plus time, I need more fucking time. But I would really settle for less fucking
tragedy to be honest with you”. Stewart is obviously very emotional about the
issue and I believe the fact that Jon Stewart, known for being quick on his
feet, and always having something funny to say about current issues no matter
how sensitive of a subject, was brought to a stammer and utter shock says a lot. Stewart
remarks at the end of his unscripted rant a very real truth that is exhibited
by the situation. “We are definitely not
living in a post-racial society and I can imagine there are a lot of people out
there wondering how much of a society we are living in at all.”
In the light of recent events, it is time to stop speaking
about these issues with the protection of comedy. It is time for white people
to acknowledge their privilege and say what Louis CK was saying in a
self-reflective way. It is time for America as a whole to join in with Jon
Stewart and (paraphrasing scripture) “Be
appalled at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate”.
I think a comedian who is perfect for this concept is Chris Rock. He is known for his controversial topical humor, but in recent interviews he has taken a more serious side of the issues in America. Comparing his stand up at the BET Awards over the summer to the the interview he was in last week is almost like listening to two completely different men. I agree that these are signs that we can no longer cover anguish with humor in order to remain comfortable when there are people living with uncomfortable feelings everyday.
I often wonder about the ethics of comedy. Many times people I know say something offensive and when I tell them to stop they respond "I was just joking, calm down." Not only is telling me as a woman to calm down sexist, I believe comedy can in fact be offensive. On the other hand, I think it can often make difficult things more understandable. For white people, structural racism is not something they encounter every day. They do not grow up knowing racism is obvious, constant, and supported by every avenue. Comedy like the Daily Show can spoon feed them concepts people of color have known since birth. I think jokes about racism, sexism, heterosexism, etc. can be tastefully done, but are often used lazily.
I agree that sometimes comedy can not comedic at all. It can at times come off as insulting or simply as racism, sexism, homophopia masquerading as comedy. I think it has a dual role though. As Jackson says, it presents an opportunity to talk about issues we would rather avoid but also it serves as a cover for racism. It gives one the defense of saying, as you said, "I was just joking."
It is very interesting to hear Jon Stewart's take on these two cases. He as a comedian has no jokes to make about these situations because of the severity of the issue. I believe that comedy can definitely be a way for people to talk about issues such as racism, and sexism in our culture today. It has shown to be a way for comedians to tell their story, and in many cases bring up issues that are important to them and that they believe need to be discussed.
Comedians have always had an interesting role to play in any conflictual discourse: race perhaps even especially. That is in part because the fact that entertainment value not statements of moral certainty is their goal, and also because of them just don’t care who they offend. I once heard a comedian say that “The more freaked out politicians are, the funnier comedians are: because they have to react to tragedy. That’s their job. We feed off of it to make light of it. That’s ours.”
I think comedy has the ability to expose the realities of real issues through the lens of humor in a way that may be more accessible than if someone is just spitting the truth. I have seen many people talk about the lack of justice for Michael Brown and Eric Garner, but I too have found none more poignant than Jon Stewart's reaction to it. I think the fact that his reputation of being someone who lightly makes fun of some pretty controversial matters makes it all the more powerful because in this moment he is floored and can't contain it. To see someone who usually has so many things to say absolutely dumbfounded is striking and something that may translate to other people who may not realize the gravity of the situations.
I think a comedian who is perfect for this concept is Chris Rock. He is known for his controversial topical humor, but in recent interviews he has taken a more serious side of the issues in America. Comparing his stand up at the BET Awards over the summer to the the interview he was in last week is almost like listening to two completely different men. I agree that these are signs that we can no longer cover anguish with humor in order to remain comfortable when there are people living with uncomfortable feelings everyday.
ReplyDeleteI often wonder about the ethics of comedy. Many times people I know say something offensive and when I tell them to stop they respond "I was just joking, calm down." Not only is telling me as a woman to calm down sexist, I believe comedy can in fact be offensive. On the other hand, I think it can often make difficult things more understandable. For white people, structural racism is not something they encounter every day. They do not grow up knowing racism is obvious, constant, and supported by every avenue. Comedy like the Daily Show can spoon feed them concepts people of color have known since birth. I think jokes about racism, sexism, heterosexism, etc. can be tastefully done, but are often used lazily.
ReplyDeleteI agree that sometimes comedy can not comedic at all. It can at times come off as insulting or simply as racism, sexism, homophopia masquerading as comedy. I think it has a dual role though. As Jackson says, it presents an opportunity to talk about issues we would rather avoid but also it serves as a cover for racism. It gives one the defense of saying, as you said, "I was just joking."
ReplyDeleteIt is very interesting to hear Jon Stewart's take on these two cases. He as a comedian has no jokes to make about these situations because of the severity of the issue. I believe that comedy can definitely be a way for people to talk about issues such as racism, and sexism in our culture today. It has shown to be a way for comedians to tell their story, and in many cases bring up issues that are important to them and that they believe need to be discussed.
ReplyDeleteComedians have always had an interesting role to play in any conflictual discourse: race perhaps even especially. That is in part because the fact that entertainment value not statements of moral certainty is their goal, and also because of them just don’t care who they offend. I once heard a comedian say that “The more freaked out politicians are, the funnier comedians are: because they have to react to tragedy. That’s their job. We feed off of it to make light of it. That’s ours.”
ReplyDeleteI think comedy has the ability to expose the realities of real issues through the lens of humor in a way that may be more accessible than if someone is just spitting the truth. I have seen many people talk about the lack of justice for Michael Brown and Eric Garner, but I too have found none more poignant than Jon Stewart's reaction to it. I think the fact that his reputation of being someone who lightly makes fun of some pretty controversial matters makes it all the more powerful because in this moment he is floored and can't contain it. To see someone who usually has so many things to say absolutely dumbfounded is striking and something that may translate to other people who may not realize the gravity of the situations.
ReplyDelete