Why Republicans aren’t funny
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Most of us have been there. Whether you must regularly endure it at your household, only experience it when your uncle visits at Thanksgiving, or exclusively see it online— you have encountered the dreaded Republican comedian.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not arguing that having Republican beliefs automatically makes you an uncomfortably unfunny person. I’m sure you can make knock-knock jokes just like the rest of us. What I am specifically referring to, though, is a specific brand of Republican ‘comedy’— jokes that seem to centralize punching down, jokes that are littered with misogyny, racism, homophobia, transphobia, and other kinds of bigotry.
These are jokes that, when someone calls them out as bigoted (and inherently lacking actual humor), are defended with the classic “don’t be a snowflake” or a mocking “Did I trigger you?” You know, peak comedy.
If you need any specific examples, I have plenty to provide for you. This might be a blatantly racist accent—mimicking people of Asian descent in a way that demeans their intelligence and stereotypes their manner of speaking. It may be a joke about transgender people and the oh-so-hilarious observation of their genitals (seriously, why is it always about their genitals?). They might defer to jokes about traditional women’s roles and how women should get back to making them sandwiches or something equally idiotic. Additionally, sometimes straight people —especially straight men— enjoy ‘acting gay’ because, you know, being gay is a joke in and of itself.
Sometimes, when you call out these jokes, people argue they are just that— jokes. In a very Michael Scott manner (specifically The Office (2005-2013), Season 2 Episode 2— “There is no such thing as an appropriate joke. That’s why it’s a joke”), they argue that the point of comedy is to make light of serious issues. They may argue that since they know they are not bigoted (racist, homophobic, transphobic, misogynistic, etc.), they have a license, essentially, to make those jokes. I understand those arguments— truly, I do. Most of the time, people who make these jokes don’t mean actual harm; they just genuinely find it funny (questionable humor isn’t a sin, I guess).
Nonetheless, I think what these people are missing is that the issues they are referencing are serious issues that people have very real traumatic experiences with. Sure, the people who inhabit those identities can make those jokes because: 1) it is pretty clear they aren’t being bigoted against themselves, and 2) they actually face those problems.
I also realize that part of the appeal of these jokes —maybe the main appeal— is the offended reaction people like me might show. Like a middle-school bully or perhaps a younger sibling bent on pushing your buttons, this brand of comedian wants nothing more than for you to ‘lose your cool’ at their jokes. They delight in ‘owning the libs’ and laugh when someone is ‘triggered.’ Sometimes, it is appropriate to call them out. Sometimes, the only thing you can do is not entertain them; don’t give them the opportunity to feel empowered in their ‘comedy.’
To the people who make these kinds of jokes: I can’t police your language. You can make your jokes, and I can’t stop you, as you know very well and enjoy pointing out. Still, I would encourage you not to. You could make many jokes that are much more funny— show off your inner comedian, the true jester you can be, and make them!