Thread by @Dreamweasel

Some comedians discuss serious issues in their acts. They are more than entitled to do so. Their views can be enlightening, or infuriating.

But “Don’t take him seriously; he’s just a comedian” does not absolve anyone of the responsibility to stand by the meaning of his words.

I understand that context is important. That is not what I am describing here. It is the blanket defense of ANY comedian’s words with the argument that you’re not allowed to take them seriously, even if context indicates that they intended their words to be as serious as cancer.

I’ll acknowledge that I’m talking mostly about Dave Chappelle & Bill Maher, two comics capable of great insight who have also used their platforms to promote ignorant & infuriating ideas. A recent comment on the latter’s Facebook page struck me as something of a Platonic ideal:

The argument is conveniently broken down into three parts:

(1) "Shut up" - shut up

(2) "He's a fucking comedian" - don't take him too seriously

(3) "But he has a point" - yes, do take him seriously

Point (2) is a shield from criticism, despite how strongly she wishes to reinforce his meaning with Point (3).

That’s having your cake & eating it too, which implies that her argument's only true purpose is Point (1).

I still do watch Real Time, despite my frequent disagreements with Maher’s opinions. Then again, even back in the ‘90s he was convinced that “PC” was a problem far more significant than it actually was. Say what you will about his take, but he’s been nothing if not consistent.

In recent months, Maher’s customary rant at the end of each show has focused on the “Woke Left” & their hypersensitivity. Unlike his attacks on the GOP, his Woke Left targets are often blurry & undefined. More often than not, he’s railing against anonymous randos on the Internet.

His tirade last night reprised the kindergarten saying “Sticks & Stones Will Break My Bones…” concluding that “If you don’t know how this ends, you need to repeat kindergarten.”

Two responses:

1. Despite the popularity of a certain published inspirational title, the things we learn in kindergarten tend to leave out a lot of nuance.

2. Conjugation of “Names will never hurt me” changes the meaning.

There’s a difference between saying “Names will never hurt ME” and “Names will never hurt YOU”, which has an implied “So quit whining about it” subtext.

I actually saw Dave Chappelle live about 8 years ago. He was headlining a comedy festival, & was becoming irritated with hecklers who just wanted him to do his old TV bits. I can’t blame him for getting pissed at knuckleheads shouting “I’M RICK JAMES, BITCH!” at him every night.

He actually said something that night about the power of words: “I hear people call me a n—-r, and it doesn’t hurt me anymore. When Kramer said it, that was the last time it hurt.”

I thought Chappelle’s admission spoke volumes, despite his obvious attempt to move past it.

Chappelle was referring to Michael Richards, who played Kramer on SEINFELD, responding to black hecklers at a comedy club: “How would you like it if I called you the nastiest name I could think of?” He unleashed a flurry of N-bombs, captured on video & all but ending his career.

Some points:

- Richards, like Chappelle, was becoming frustrated & infuriated with hecklers.

- He said something awful to them which was taken out of context & became widely publicized.

- And, this is key: even though Richards’ words were in fact taken out of context, most people agree that he still crossed a line he shouldn’t have crossed.

I wonder if Chappelle thinks about that when he hears the reactions to his current Netflix special. If he considers how his words may have hurt others the way it hurt him when Richards - an actor he liked, and respected, and probably expected to be on his side - said the N-word.

So yeah, there’s more than a little gray area to the “Names will never hurt me” canard.

Is this saying intended to give you strength, or simply to absolve yourself of your responsibility when you say hurtful things?

I don’t think the original translation of “Sticks & Stones Will Break My Bones, But Names Will Never Hurt Me” was “You’re a stupid snowflake who can’t take a joke” but maybe Maher went to a different kindergarten than I did