The role of humor in making a case
During the push to win women the vote a small group of women staged a mock debate outlining the reasons that men should not be trusted to vote. The audience laughed at the ridiculousness of the argument and then stopped to think about parallel putdowns of women.
Humor often gives people insights in a painless and happy way to the human condition.
Stand up comedy can be a key way to make a point obliquely, painlessly through exaggeration and story.
The push for women’s and children’s rights is usually made very seriously, passionately, and should be. However levity can occasionally surprise and assist this struggle.
The following articles during the time of serious decision making about how to fund care of children, take exaggerated and ludicrous approaches to parallel issues. They are included not to offend but to bring a smile, and nudge a thought.
Inspirations for this approach are:
- “A good laugh makes any interview, or any conversation, so much better.” –Barbara Walters
- “I think the next best thing to solving a problem is finding some humor in it.” –Frank A. Clark
- “Comedy is acting out optimism.” –Robin Williams
Comedy has to be based on truth. You take the truth and you put a little curlicue at the end – Sid Caesar
Comedy is simply a funny way of being serious- Peter Ustinov
- “Humor is the affectionate communication of insight.” –Leo Rosten
- “Like a welcome summer rain, humor may suddenly cleanse and cool the earth, the air and you.” –Langston Hughes
Equality and Caregiving 