Is Comedic Censorship ever a good thing?
Stand-up comedy is a mechanism which society uses to deal with its most grave problems. For decades, it has been a hub of liberal free expression and artistic integrity; free from censorship. With the emergence of mainstream politically correct ideology, today it is the progressive left and the liberal left cannibalising each other in a civil war over the soul of comedy.
Now, it is self-identifying progressive leftist comedians like Nimesh Patel who are the victims of this inquisition targeting free expression in stand-up. On Nov. 30th, 2018; while performing on a stage at Columbia University, this young comedian, celebrated for being the first Asian-American writer on SNL was removed from the stage for making ‘offensive jokes’- the joke in question’s crime was only highlighting and critiquing racism and bigotry. The joke was hounded by critics as ‘offensive’ and ‘insensitive’, when in reality it was neither.
Let me be clear with my opinion: offensive comedy should not be censored. Difficult topics should be open to comedians, writers, musicians and filmmakers to explore, critique, satirise and ridicule. The politically correct left today have usurped the role of those on the Conservative right who were previously ridiculed by liberals as ‘uptight’ and ‘old-fashioned.’ now calling provocative comedy “Bigoted”, “Insensitive” and various other adjectives. Indeed, a cult- classic comedy series such as The Inbetweeners is unlikely to ever be accepted by a modern audience.
People have a right to be offended, but equally people have a right to offend- such is the basic premise of a free, open society. We are moving closer and closer to turning what should be a matter of public opinion into censoring legislation. A recent high profile case in Scotland involved Mark Meechan being arrested and charged with hate-speech after uploading a video of his dog performing a Nazi Salute onto YouTube. It was, rather obviously, intended as a joke- the satirical portrayal of a dog performing such a hateful act highlighting the absurdity of it- but it is not up to the government to try those who make such jokes with Hate Speech while ignoring the context of such speech.
But the government is not the only problem. On social media, the general public finds it all too easy to condemn and destroy people who make jokes in poor taste. Justine Sacco, a PR executive made an insensitive joke on her twitter account about AIDS- and was subsequently the result of massive public outrage, and countless threats of rape and murder. The irony at the heart of the outrage was the fact that the tweet was satirical- highlighting the lack of awareness over the disease through exaggeration.
We live in strange times, where lives and careers can be ruined in the court of public opinion. Comedic censorship can save people from hurt feelings, but it can also ruin the lives of otherwise good people who make one poorly timed, poorly executed, but not necessary racist or sexist joke. In my opinion, censorship is rarely an effective way of stopping unsavoury opinions, and only leads to people stifling conversation.
Josh Franklin
Now, it is self-identifying progressive leftist comedians like Nimesh Patel who are the victims of this inquisition targeting free expression in stand-up. On Nov. 30th, 2018; while performing on a stage at Columbia University, this young comedian, celebrated for being the first Asian-American writer on SNL was removed from the stage for making ‘offensive jokes’- the joke in question’s crime was only highlighting and critiquing racism and bigotry. The joke was hounded by critics as ‘offensive’ and ‘insensitive’, when in reality it was neither.
Let me be clear with my opinion: offensive comedy should not be censored. Difficult topics should be open to comedians, writers, musicians and filmmakers to explore, critique, satirise and ridicule. The politically correct left today have usurped the role of those on the Conservative right who were previously ridiculed by liberals as ‘uptight’ and ‘old-fashioned.’ now calling provocative comedy “Bigoted”, “Insensitive” and various other adjectives. Indeed, a cult- classic comedy series such as The Inbetweeners is unlikely to ever be accepted by a modern audience.
People have a right to be offended, but equally people have a right to offend- such is the basic premise of a free, open society. We are moving closer and closer to turning what should be a matter of public opinion into censoring legislation. A recent high profile case in Scotland involved Mark Meechan being arrested and charged with hate-speech after uploading a video of his dog performing a Nazi Salute onto YouTube. It was, rather obviously, intended as a joke- the satirical portrayal of a dog performing such a hateful act highlighting the absurdity of it- but it is not up to the government to try those who make such jokes with Hate Speech while ignoring the context of such speech.
But the government is not the only problem. On social media, the general public finds it all too easy to condemn and destroy people who make jokes in poor taste. Justine Sacco, a PR executive made an insensitive joke on her twitter account about AIDS- and was subsequently the result of massive public outrage, and countless threats of rape and murder. The irony at the heart of the outrage was the fact that the tweet was satirical- highlighting the lack of awareness over the disease through exaggeration.
We live in strange times, where lives and careers can be ruined in the court of public opinion. Comedic censorship can save people from hurt feelings, but it can also ruin the lives of otherwise good people who make one poorly timed, poorly executed, but not necessary racist or sexist joke. In my opinion, censorship is rarely an effective way of stopping unsavoury opinions, and only leads to people stifling conversation.
Josh Franklin