I want to talk a bit about humor.
Two seperate, but related, incidents here on DailyKos.com have me thinking about humor and its role in debating deadly serious political or social issues. The first was a diary I posted yesterday, referring to the Foley incident, and, more specifically, the cover up as Masturgate. A commenter took me to task for being flip about a sexual predator going after a 16 year old boy, saying I cheapened the issue. The second was a comment in today's open thread calling on progressives to stop joking around about pedophelia in general, and this issue in particular, because there's nothing funny about sexual abuse. I've thought a lot about those two comments.
Now, I should tell you right off that I don't have a thick skin when it comes to criticism. When people disagree with me or criticize my writing, I often take it personally (wah, they don't like me!) rather than seeing it as an opportunity to discuss, communicate, learn and grow.
In reading that critical comment to my diary, I got a bit defensive at first, because my diary wasn't flip at all and I felt it unfair to focus on one word out of so many. But I forced myself to consider what this person was saying, and though I see their point, I respectfully disagree.
Humor is an important method of communicating, and one progressives need to utilize. On the surface, jokes about the Foley incident and subsequent cover-up seem crass and insensitive to the innocent victims. But they're also helping galvanize public perception of those involved, and that's good for several reasons. Its keeps people talking about this very important issue, insuring it won't just fade away before action is taken. It links those who are responsible with what they've done in people's minds. It increases the chance of Congress actually dealing with those involved and the system that allowed it to happen in the first place. I think these positives more than outweigh the negatives.
Look at Michael Jackson as an example. People have made tasteless jokes about Mr. Jackson and his fondness for boys for years. Some are funny, others not so much. But they've cemented the link in our collective consciousness: Michael Jackson likes little boys.
The GOP spin machine is already spinning. They're trying to break the link between Reynolds, Hastert, Foley, et.al. and the cover-up of a sexual predator. We need to reinforce that link until it's unbreakable, not only among progressives but the people (sweeps hand) out there as well. If a tasteless joke helps remind people exactly who looked the other way while a Congressman sent sexually explicit IMs to a 16 year old page, I'm all for it. I wish we lived in a perfect world where this sort of thing never happened, but we simply don't, and until we do, I'm ok with using every weapon in our arsenal to effect change. I'm ok with having my delicate sensibility offended if it leads to greater good.
I look forward to your comments, even if you disagree.