Humor is an essential tool for survival that can be used to subvert oppressive systems. It functions as a psychological mechanism that allows individuals to cope with the distress caused by social injustice. In this essay, I will discuss how humor works as a moral defense against oppression and why it is necessary for resistance movements.
The concept of "moral disengagement" refers to the process whereby people justify their actions by separating themselves from the consequences of those actions. This separation often occurs when people believe they are acting in service of a greater good, such as maintaining order or preserving tradition. Moral disengagement can lead to cruelty and violence, but it also provides a framework for resisting oppression. By engaging in humor, people can undermine the power structures that perpetuate injustice. Humor reveals the absurdity of these power structures and makes them vulnerable to ridicule.
One example of humor's role in resistance is seen in political cartoons. Political cartoonists often use satire to expose hypocrisy and corruption within government institutions.
During the Cold War, artist Gary Trudeau's comic strip "Doonesbury" poked fun at politicians and businessmen who profited off of arms sales to both sides of the conflict. These cartoons helped shift public opinion away from support for military intervention and towards more diplomatic solutions. Another example comes from the civil rights movement, where comedians like Dick Gregory and Bill Cosby employed stand-up comedy to challenge racist stereotypes and call attention to racial inequality. Their jokes about segregation and discrimination helped normalize conversations about race and paved the way for broader social change.
Humor can also serve as a form of protest against gender norms. Comedy acts like "The Second City" have been instrumental in challenging traditional ideas about masculinity and femininity. By making fun of stereotypical gender roles, performers encourage audiences to rethink their assumptions about gender identity and sexuality. In addition, queer comics like Margaret Cho and Kathy Griffin have used humor to destigmatize non-binary identities and promote inclusivity.
Humor functions as an effective moral defense against systemic oppression by highlighting its absurdity and undermining its power structures. From political cartoons to stand-up comedy, humor has long served as a tool for resistance movements. As such, it is essential that we continue to cultivate and celebrate this tradition of dissent.
How does humor function as a moral defense against systemic oppression?
Humor is an important coping mechanism that can be used to deflect, reframe, and challenge systems of oppression. When faced with systemic racism, sexism, ableism, ageism, homophobia, or any other form of discrimination, people may use humor as a way to manage their feelings and maintain control over their situation.