| DarthMetalliCube said: People are certainly within their rights to fling their barrage of criticism or hatred toward Chappelle, I even understand that to a degree. What I DO NOT support is Chappelle being blackballed or his livelihood threatened (or in some cases even being physically threatened) simply because he makes jokes that some people find distasteful. To me that is NOT ok in what's supposed to be a free and civilized society. |
I don't support people having their livelihood threatened or being physically threatened.
| DarthMetalliCube said: But to me at least, the term "punching down" is a bad and misguided one for two main reasons. For one, it essentially implies violence or at least a slight, when comedy is meant to be harmless art/entertainment, or even a catharsis - often ironically towards those targeted. Many use comedy to cope. Second, that these so-called targets are considered "down" by way of being weaker, less-than, or hold less power is patronizing. Even if there may be a bit of truth to that in certain areas, I find it somewhat condescending if anything. |
The issue isn't "comedy".
A lot of the best comedians made comedy by punching up.
"Comedy has traditionally picked on people in power" = "punching up"
| DarthMetalliCube said: Second, that these so-called targets are considered "down" by way of being weaker, less-than, or hold less power is patronizing. Even if there may be a bit of truth to that in certain areas, I find it somewhat condescending if anything. |
Do you think a homeless person has as much power as Bill Gates? Is it patronizing and condescending to talk about how it's unfair that Bill Gates has the power to easily sway local elections and homeless people don't?
Is it condescending/patronizing to point out that some governments are trying to outlaw trans people?
Was it patronizing in the 1950's to point out that black people had to sit in the back of the bus?
It's not condescending to point out systemic issues, because those things aren't the people's fault. That is why I mentioned this:
The problem isn't "Dave Chappelle is above trans people".
Because the issue isn't that some people are better than others. The issue is that some people are pushing power over others. .
Punching down is problematic because it is condescending, because it insists that some people are fundamentally better than others.
Punching up is about recognizing that there are systems in place that unfairly give more power to some people over others.
