In recent years, with the popularity of social media and protests, a ‘cancel culture’ against people who believe in potentially offensive ideas is emerging. Especially prevalent in audiences of stand-up comedy, this form of figurative social ostracism leads to the debate of whether these fearless comedians should have the right to offend. With historical evidence, comedians should be able to offend reasonably with their jokes without fear of being canceled.
In the United States of America, comedians like Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock constantly balance the humor and the offensiveness their jokes will potentially have before telling them. “The most reactionary and dangerous parts of our current politics and culture are driven by powerful people who claim to be the victims of groups … far more vulnerable than they are.” Through this quote, Jelani Cobb, a journalist from The New Yorker, explains the reasoning behind this currently required comedic restraint. Cobb’s words also imply that these influential public figures persuade the public into joining the growing cancel culture with their reactions of offense.
Stand-up comedy has been a leading source of entertainment for over a century. In the early 20th century, comedic legends like Jackie ‘Moms’ Mabley and Whoopi Goldberg captivated entire audiences with their jokes. Richard Pryor, another stand-up comedian, had a signature comedy show that “changed the game,” according to former comedian Steve Harvey. Predictably, this hilarious show touched on potentially offensive issues like addiction, racism, and sex. Decades later, comedians like Chappelle are still making massive crowds of fans laugh hysterically with their offensive jokes.
In the Constitution of the United States, the First Amendment right to free speech is one reason why stand-up comedians should have the right to offend while entertaining without getting canceled. The main goals of comedy are to provide entertainment and happiness. Thus, adhering to the constitutional right to free speech, comedians should be able to offend some people while making most of their audience laugh. Without social restrictions on what comedians can say, comedy is more humorous and enjoyable to watch and perform.
Furthermore, stand-up comedians should have the right to offend because of the positive influence they can have on their audiences. For instance, Chappelle, one of the most successful comedians of all time, uses many offensive jokes to entertain his massive fanbase. Unfortunately, he still receives notable backlash for his comedy specials. Towards the end of 2021, Chappelle released “The Closer,” and members of the LGBTQ+ community were offended by his jokes.
However, “Days after “The Closer” aired, Chappelle performed at a sold-out event at the Hollywood Bowl before [a supportive] audience that included Nas, Lizzo, Stevie Wonder, Brad Pitt, and Tiffany Haddish,” according to Cobb. Aside from the group of people who take offense to Chappelle’s humor, a large community of people appreciate his entertainment as well.
In addition to the uplifting feeling that comedians bring to many with their offensive jokes, comedians should have the right to offend because offensive jokes can use social tension productively to spread awareness about controversial issues. Regarding these debates, many people attempt to avoid lengthy, potentially offensive discussions. Fortunately, according to Tiffany E. Barber, assistant professor of Africana Studies and Art history at the University of Delaware, “… [opportunities] for comedians to develop new, more engaging material that keeps pace with … conversations about identity, representation, and culture are evolving.” Using their right to offend, comedians can encourage discussions of today’s most controversial issues and effect lasting change with their hilarious stories.
It is a fact that offensive jokes can hurt people’s feelings and lives. However, comedians must be at least slightly offensive to keep their jobs and make the majority of their audience happy. Comedians are not performing to please one individual. Their main goal is to tell provocative stories that can make large groups feel joyous and uplifted. Sometimes, this includes discrimination, racism, or sexism, but audiences should interpret the comedian’s jokes as entertaining opinions rather than domineering insults.
Holistically, stand-up comedians should have the right to offend because of the constitutional right to free speech, comedians’ positive influence on audiences, and comedy’s ability to spread awareness about controversial topics. Comedians must have the right to offend to make the world a gleeful society filled with laughter.
Sources:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/does-stand-up-comedy-still-have-the-right-to-offend_n_62ba11f1e4b0326883a8a1b5?d_id=4149162&ncid_tag=tweetlnkushpmg00000027
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/11/01/the-power-of-dave-chappelles-comedy-netflix-the-closer
https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-1/
In the United States of America, comedians like Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock constantly balance the humor and the offensiveness their jokes will potentially have before telling them. “The most reactionary and dangerous parts of our current politics and culture are driven by powerful people who claim to be the victims of groups … far more vulnerable than they are.” Through this quote, Jelani Cobb, a journalist from The New Yorker, explains the reasoning behind this currently required comedic restraint. Cobb’s words also imply that these influential public figures persuade the public into joining the growing cancel culture with their reactions of offense.
Stand-up comedy has been a leading source of entertainment for over a century. In the early 20th century, comedic legends like Jackie ‘Moms’ Mabley and Whoopi Goldberg captivated entire audiences with their jokes. Richard Pryor, another stand-up comedian, had a signature comedy show that “changed the game,” according to former comedian Steve Harvey. Predictably, this hilarious show touched on potentially offensive issues like addiction, racism, and sex. Decades later, comedians like Chappelle are still making massive crowds of fans laugh hysterically with their offensive jokes.
In the Constitution of the United States, the First Amendment right to free speech is one reason why stand-up comedians should have the right to offend while entertaining without getting canceled. The main goals of comedy are to provide entertainment and happiness. Thus, adhering to the constitutional right to free speech, comedians should be able to offend some people while making most of their audience laugh. Without social restrictions on what comedians can say, comedy is more humorous and enjoyable to watch and perform.
Furthermore, stand-up comedians should have the right to offend because of the positive influence they can have on their audiences. For instance, Chappelle, one of the most successful comedians of all time, uses many offensive jokes to entertain his massive fanbase. Unfortunately, he still receives notable backlash for his comedy specials. Towards the end of 2021, Chappelle released “The Closer,” and members of the LGBTQ+ community were offended by his jokes.
However, “Days after “The Closer” aired, Chappelle performed at a sold-out event at the Hollywood Bowl before [a supportive] audience that included Nas, Lizzo, Stevie Wonder, Brad Pitt, and Tiffany Haddish,” according to Cobb. Aside from the group of people who take offense to Chappelle’s humor, a large community of people appreciate his entertainment as well.
In addition to the uplifting feeling that comedians bring to many with their offensive jokes, comedians should have the right to offend because offensive jokes can use social tension productively to spread awareness about controversial issues. Regarding these debates, many people attempt to avoid lengthy, potentially offensive discussions. Fortunately, according to Tiffany E. Barber, assistant professor of Africana Studies and Art history at the University of Delaware, “… [opportunities] for comedians to develop new, more engaging material that keeps pace with … conversations about identity, representation, and culture are evolving.” Using their right to offend, comedians can encourage discussions of today’s most controversial issues and effect lasting change with their hilarious stories.
It is a fact that offensive jokes can hurt people’s feelings and lives. However, comedians must be at least slightly offensive to keep their jobs and make the majority of their audience happy. Comedians are not performing to please one individual. Their main goal is to tell provocative stories that can make large groups feel joyous and uplifted. Sometimes, this includes discrimination, racism, or sexism, but audiences should interpret the comedian’s jokes as entertaining opinions rather than domineering insults.
Holistically, stand-up comedians should have the right to offend because of the constitutional right to free speech, comedians’ positive influence on audiences, and comedy’s ability to spread awareness about controversial topics. Comedians must have the right to offend to make the world a gleeful society filled with laughter.
Sources:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/does-stand-up-comedy-still-have-the-right-to-offend_n_62ba11f1e4b0326883a8a1b5?d_id=4149162&ncid_tag=tweetlnkushpmg00000027
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/11/01/the-power-of-dave-chappelles-comedy-netflix-the-closer
https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-1/
