I love comedy. With that love, I take an interest in comedians and what they do. I also have interest in politics, because you know, it affects my life. Most of the time, comedians pretty much stay out of the news, unless it’s for something “bad”. Often it’s drugs or other scandal, but I’m sure you all know that’s not what I’m talking about right now. Sometimes they are in the spotlight because of something they do that goes “too far” or because an element of their work is offensive to someone. There are, of course, boundaries in comedy, but often times the boundaries are different for each person, or the line is a major gray area in general.
Of course, I’m referring to the commotion caused by comedian Kathy Griffin. At this point I’m sure everyone who is online or watches the news on TV knows what I’m talking about. This image, a political statement, sparked more of a controversy than many of the things that happened during the presidential election. Now, I have never been dedicated to watching (or listening) to any of Kathy Griffin's comedic work, for what it's worth, I have enjoyed what I have seen from her. But most recently she has been in the news for a particular photo shoot she took with a “blood”-covered Trump mask.
I was taken aback when I first saw the image. I thought it was crude and not amusing. As much as I don’t agree with our country’s president, this still didn’t make me laugh. But at the same time, I wasn’t angry. To me, it was just another photo by a person I had vaguely heard of, presenting a politically charged image. Just like the last two years of the media coverage in this country. This image is art, and art is often meant to spark controversy (just ask the photographer of the image). But this image sparked a rage in many Americans. The image has been met with insults, threats to Kathy’s safety, and the loss of her job. And that is the aspect of this photo that I don’t agree with.
She has the right, just like any other person in America, to the freedom of expression. With this photo shoot she was doing just that. And while it may not have been everybody’s cup of tea, she still has the right to do the photo shoot.
Another part of this whole controversy that I don’t agree with are the many double standards that Kathy has faced. Yes, this image was in bad taste, and yes it is insulting to Trump and those who support him; however, where was the country’s outrage when people created these kind of pictures about President Obama? I’m not trying to say that this photo of a decapitated Trump is acceptable, but there should have been just of bit more of an outrage for the images depicting Obama in the same manner. There have also been similar, violent images of Trump done by male artists, some of them being well known people, that have received little to no media attention.
Bonus points, by the way, to Trump himself for making comments about how he believed that Obama “should be shot as an enemy agent.” Talk about hypocrisy…
Why does this hypocrisy exist? I don’t know for sure. But I do know that people need to accept that not everyone agrees with the violent rhetoric of Trump, and to demonstrate that sentiment they might create art or participate in some other sort of political gesture. That is their right as an American.
