A friend recently wrote bemoaning the lack of thoughtful consideration of most issues these days. His comment struck a chord with me because I increasingly find the fast-paced, argumentative nature of our culture—perhaps most exemplified by Internet tweeting, blogging, etc.—more taxing than helpful.
It appears that we have reached a new high (or is it low?) in knee-jerk reactions to complex situations (e.g., the recent Department of Agriculture fiasco) and the smug critiquing of everyone else’s looks, actions, and ideas (e.g., reality television and the comments posted on so many blogs).
All the chatter feels like over-stimulation without a cause. I often sense that we are sharing our perspectives, but not really listening to each other—thereby reducing our chances for resolving serious problems.
Suffice it to say that my friend’s e-mail got me thinking about the role of this blog and how we can focus on positive solutions to the problems of sexist remarks. One option is to create support for the individuals and organizations who have independently decided to avoid sexist comments in their lives and work. Let’s face it—boycotts work, but so does supporting people and places that support you back.
So here goes. I have written in the past about comedians my husband and I have seen while traveling—you know, the ones who are still telling mother-in-law jokes or bemoaning their wives’ shoe collections (and those are the less degrading aspects of gender-based humor). There are, however, plenty of comedians out there who find humor in situations—and not at the expense of women. Jake Johannsen is one of them.
My husband and I try to see Jake whenever he is in town. He is hysterically funny, and his humor covers the waterfront, from the personal to the political. More important, he is funny without taking shots at anyone’s race, gender, etc. After he married a few years back, he integrated into his act new material about married life and the differences between men and women—but he did so without trashing his wife or regurgitating misogynist stereotypes. In fact, many of his stories are self-deprecating and seem to come from a place of awareness and respect for what women bring to the world (and to men). All of that and he is still funny—imagine that?!!
So the next time he is in your town, check out Jake Johannsen. He is proof that you can be funny while maintaining respectful boundaries.
I am willing to bet that he can make you laugh . . . and not at anyone’s expense.
Cynthia
