My first love was the first amendment of the constitution, my second love was for comedy. Growing up, I had too much access to HBO stand up comedy specials. I am still able to recite from memory most of George Carlin's act as well as most of Monty Python skits. At a young age I realized what stand up comedy was and how important it really is. Comedians serve the task of being a social commentator, which is no easy job. They openly talk about problems in society and make jokes about these issues. They cause meaningful conversations about these issues while making most people laugh. Some comedians do this with tact, while others like Luis C.K. are nothing but blunt. There is a strong connection between comedy and the first amendment, and they are both coming under attack. the root of this attack comes from political correctness.
Political correctness basically takes on two forms; both annoying to me. The first type of political correctness comes in the form of calling everything "sexist", "racist", or any other type of prejudice because you find the joke offensive. Jerry Seinfeld pointed this out in an interview in late June about college campuses, and I totally agree. He and other comedians refuse performing at college campuses because they find them too politically correct. This nation is still battling with race, sex, and even rape culture but that doesn't mean we can't talk about it. Comedians make fun of everything and allow for tough conversations to be started with a few laughs. If we never talk about it and just ignore it, it may never get better. Comedians are less about the content of their jokes, and more about the context.
The second type of political correctness is the most dangerous to our society. This group of people attempt to ban anything they find offensive, such as the confederate flag. If you have read my previous post, you may know I am not a fan of that flag and I support the decision to have it removed form any government building. However, I do not support the total ban of the flag because I believe in the freedom of speech. In Texas V. Johnson, the Supreme Court ruled that a person could desecrate the United States flag under the protection of the freedom of speech clause in the first amendment. I find the act of destroying the national flag more offensive then the flying of the confederate flag, but the action is protected by the constitution.
I'm not suggesting people should be offensive just because you can, but everyone has the rights. Just because something offends you doesn't automatically make it sexist, racist, or prejudice. It means that you disagree with the sentiment shared by the person, even if it was meant as social commentary. You can not ban anything that offends you, that infringes of a fundamental right of the constitution. I hear form my gun enthusiast friends all the time that the second amendment is under constant attack, and I disagree. I believe that the first amendment is in jeopardy. It's okay to be offended, but don't resort to name calling in the name of political correctness. Don't try to silence them by making their beliefs illegal. Instead, have open discourse about these issues and reason through them.
Don't forget your first amendment right to share this article and tell me what you think.
