I've been thinking a lot about comedy over the past year and the very fine line that divides what is finding empowerment through using comedy in order to shed light on serious issues and what crosses the line to down right offensive and harmful. After reading Jessica's post, What's so Funny About Rape? , and the comments that preceded it, I have a few things that I would like to say in response to this very important, complex issue. The media is always a reflection of the prevalent social belief systems of the time. Here, the line becomes blurry where it's almost a "chicken or the egg" scenario. The media may be a reflection of current belief systems, but we also develop our own belief systems through the influence, whether we like it or not, from the media. Unfortunately, a large portion of society does not implement critical thinking skills when surfing the tube, and I think it becomes risky when shows like Family Guy and comedians like Jim Jeffries joke about very serious, real-life circumstances. I do watch Family Guy pretty frequently, but I have a hard time with it, because most of the time, the jokes are at the expense of marginalized groups, especially women. Although Family Guy certainly utilizes the stereotype of the dumpy, idiot husband as well (check out Sarah Haskin's from Target Women's take on this ).
As for Jim Jeffries and the like, joking about rape only reinforces the notion that it is permissable and funny. I imagine that if women were joking about men being raped, men would not find it so humerous. Although when men joke about other men being raped, it is usually at the expense of the gay community. Until we see the criminal justice system taking crimes of domestic and sexual violence more seriously and witness a decrease, rather than increase, of rates of rape cases, these comedians should rethink their tactics. By making light of sexual violence, young girls and women may even internalize these jokes and not take seriously their own experiences with sexual and domestic violence. These comedians are devaluing the reality that women are being subjected to serious violence every day and perpetuating stereotypes and stigmas that society still desperately clings to.
Also I want to point out that this is especially a concern when we think about children. Kids soak up anything and everything in their enviornment, and without the help of conscientious parent/guardian/teacher guidance, they will internalize these messages from the media. They do not necessarily have a sensor yet to separate comedy from reality. I think this results in the formulation and internalization of stereotypes and the sexist, racist, ableist, etc.. belief systems that these stereotypes are born from.
I understand that comedy oftentimes utilizes shock value for its effectiveness. Unfortunately, there is not an obvious answer to this problem. I do think that it is a tragedy when people find it necessary to only make jokes at the expense of someone else's oppression and pain. Comedians like Margaret Cho do an excellent job of being funny and bringing up serious issues without being offensive, so at least there are success stories! I welcome any constructive feedback from the readers. Thanks!
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"...Although when men joke about other men being raped, it is usually at the expense of the gay community..."
I also remember seeing it at the expense of prisoners (in some sitcom, I forget which, two of the male main characters got locked up for a weekend or something and on the way out one of those two actors was adjusting his pants and walking stiffly as though something uncomfortable had happened to his ass...). That seemed to me to be a reference to prison rape of nonviolent convicts.
"...Comedians like Margaret Cho do an excellent job of being funny and bringing up serious issues without being offensive, so at least there are success stories!..."
Yeah! Also, have you read either of Cho's books, I'm the One That I Want and I Have Chosen to Stay and Fight? They're both really good. :)
Wow, yeah, I hadn't thought about prison rape being used in comedy. Prison rape is certainly a serious issue that is consistently swept under the rug by the mass majority.
No I haven't read them. I had no idea Margaret Cho had written a few books! Awesome. I will most definitely check them out.