Michael Kasdan thanks his lucky stars for the Daily Show’s hard-hitting comedy and satire.
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America continues to smolder in controversies involving guns, racism, and police violence. These issues are being passionately discussed in a variety of serious articles and posts. But the tools of satire and comedy can be equally effective in bringing these issues to the fore.
Good satire puts the ridiculousness of our world on display for all to see in a disarming way.
It’s a devastatingly effective way to shine a light on injustice and unfairness. It pokes logical holes in our inconsistencies. And it is difficult to quarrel with or rebut. As Joseph Addison once said, “Lampoons and satires, that are written with wit and spirit, are like poisoned darts, which not only inflict a wound, but make it incurable.”
The Daily Show’s recent correspondent piece, 2nd Amendment Manners Do’s and Don’ts, is that type of satire. It deftly illustrates the difference between a white man carrying a gun (like the Open Carry folks roaming through Walmart with their assault rifles) and a black man carrying a gun.
The bit has two Daily Show “correspondents” alternating and delivering Do’s and Don’ts. Jordan Klepper is white, and carrying a rifle. His Do’s and Don’ts are for white people. Michael Che is black, and wearing a hoodie. His Do’s and Don’ts are for black people:
Klepper: “Now, when you bring your gun to a restaurant DO calmly inform the other patrons that you are there just to eat, and not to shoot anyone.
Che: “And when you bring your gun to a restaurant, DON’T be black.”
* * *
Klepper: “When trying to get your waitresses attention, remember, DON’T shoot into the ceiling. Just point at the ceiling, gently wave it in a circular motion, and remember to turn on your laser sight. Because that’s how she’ll see you.”
Che: “DON’T carry a gun if you’re black. OK. Or anything that looks like a gun. Don’t even carry gum. It sounds to much like gun.”
* * *
Klepper: If approached by a police officer, DO show him your permit and invite him to your place for beers and target practice.”
Che: Don’t say (bleep) to the police! Alright!?
Ah cruel satire. We laugh, because it’s funny. But it’s funny because its true. And that’s not funny at all.
The brilliant video can be viewed in its entirety below:
And then there’s this:
It’s insane.
“You have a right to carry a weapon. That may cause a reasonable person to believe they are in danger of great bodily injury. And they have a right, if they feel that way, to respond with deadly force. It’s a perpetual violence machine.” – Jon Stewart
Fair point Donna.
I would have loved to have found an internationally available version of the video, but I couldn’t find one. It seems that Comedy Central – like many – restricts access geographically. (Which is very annoying.) It’s an annoyance I remember from when I lived abroad.
I know it’s a US show talking about a US issue on a US blog, but couldn’t GMP link to the internationally available version of the video under the US-only one? Discussions of race/manhood/culture can benefit from non-US opinions, and non-US people can benefit from access to the discussion.