Lifecycle of humour (featuring political correctness)
Humour is one of the defining traits of the higher primates. Humans have found ways to incorporate humour in daily life, through everyday scenarios, word plays, observations, and much more. It holds a special place in the hearts, providing solace in times of struggle, protest in times of injustice, a tickle in times of happiness, and butterflies in new lovers.
This long life of humour has transcended from innocent to offensive and jokes to deadpan or sarcasm. It brings out different aspects of wit and active psychological functioning. But what killed humour was the rise of political correctness.
There are many articles and writers who have blunted their swords in writing for political correctness. But these battles, I believe, are just one side of the coin. On the hidden side are the lost words filled with joy and innocence, misunderstood in the world of political unrest.
Insult comedy
It is one of the widely frowned upon yet thriving genres of comedy. It consists of offensive insults, often directed at a certain person or other performers, even the audience. Trading insults, making personal remarks, and throwing away political correctness to derive humour from dark situations are usually what insult humour thrives upon.
The genre came into existence as an option for political correctness. Because where do you go when women become womyn, and humans become humyn? These are sole and niche examples of the changing world politics and how narratives wish to control every aspect of our lives. Humour, more so, because it is the only medium that has the power to reach the most depraved person through one means or another. It has the power to overthrow tyranny through political cartoons and character bits and humanise the oddities within us all.
Jesters, jokers, and courtesans
One of the bastardised versions of humour is fear of jokers and ridiculing the jesters. When in fact, jesters and courtesans once held their heads high for their wit and humour. Jokers were an innocent portrayal of a lovable and goofy character that resides in us all. They are not exactly the victims of political correctness in the true sense of the word but have suffered through the same fate for a very long time.
Slapstick, sarcasm, deadpan, and more
There are many standup comedians we watch on our handheld screens. They joke of their own cultures and traditions, languages and habits, faults and foes. If a Japanese person jokes about Japanese culture, it is okay. But it becomes offensive when a different-looking person of a different nationality makes the same joke. Why? That person made the same observations. Just because the face of the joke changes, doesn’t mean the joke becomes any less funny. Many a time, it is also on the audience to take a joke like a joke, without judgement and by keeping the politics aside. Otherwise, how can one cope with the fact that Jesus was, in fact, brown, an average German does carry the Nazi guilt, and a certain religion can have flaws beyond measure.
Humour and politics — an unholy duo
The term “politically correct” humour started in the 1970s among left-wing groups and was used as a way to joke about strict views within social movements. Over time, conservatives began using it to criticise efforts to make language more sensitive to social issues. This caused a backlash against politically correct humour by the late 20th century. What began as a self-aware joke became a strong criticism.
As a result, comedians changed their styles. Some tried to push boundaries to avoid being seen as “politically correct”, while others took a more inclusive approach, leading to debates about whether humour should address social issues.
True nature of humour
The show, ‘The Big Bang Theory’ presented a unique concept of Super Asymmetry. It prophesied on the show that the world is not perfect at all. It carries many flaws. And these flaws, these asymmetrical elements, are what makes the universe the place it is. It’s a fictional concept of course, but doesn’t it ring true in many aspects of our lives? We are surrounded and made of flaws. Humour is what makes life bearable. Laughter makes our lives lighter, and more fulfilled. If only we could let go of the political correctness and the anger in beacons with communities.
Article By: Gauri D.
