Who Says Feminists Aren't Funny?

As the nation prepared to watch the final installment in the McCain-Obama debate series, Wednesday (10/15), a group of Ms. Foundation
supporters gathered at Carolines on Broadway.
The occasion was the 19th Annual Comedy Hour hosted by the club's owner Caroline Hirsch.

Feminists have often been accused of not having a sense of humor (How could they survive without one?), but this relaxed event had laughs to spare. Before the eight female stand-up comics strutted their stuff, I asked several people what they had found funny in 2008. They had to think hard.

President and CEO of the Ms. Foundation, Sara K. Gould, said, "This is a year I don't think too much is funny. It would be funny if it didn't feel almost tragic." She paused and added, "I think it's times like this we need to laugh."

Elizabeth Sackler, founder of the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art, racked her brain. "I can't think of anything funny about this year," she said. "Oh, Tina Fey is funny," she reconsidered, brightening with her realization. "Tina Fey is saving my life right now."

Gloria Steinem didn't miss a beat when responding to my query. "It's funny that anyone would think that that Sarah Palin, who is a young Phyllis Schlafly, would appeal to Hillary voters."

If nothing else, there was a strong consensus that Sarah Palin had created scads of material for comedic routines. Jane Conden, one of the performers, said to me, "The election is over, and Tina Fey has won!" New York City based comic Marina Franklin weighed in, agreeing about Palin. "A lot of material," she concurred. "The wink, anything she does -- we pay attention." However, Franklin doesn't use Palin in her act. "She gives me an ulcer," she informed me.

Before the funny women took the stage, Gould turned serious as she discussed the work of the Foundation, which "will make five million dollars in grants to build women's collective power...with grantees involved in changing policy and culture." Efforts of the organizations range from fighting ballot initiatives that would give personhood rights to fetuses (i.e. Colorado Ballot Amendment 48), to work on eradicating "abstinence only" education programs. Representatives from three of the beneficiary groups were present. They were SMART, NAPW, and FIERCE.

SMART, (Sisterhood Mobilized for AIDS Research and Treatment) founded in 1998, is the sole community-based treatment, education, service and advocacy organization run for and by HIV-positive women in New York City. NAPW (National Advocates for Pregnant Women) focuses on public education and legal advocacy in the reproductive justice arena, with the goal of ensuring that women do not lose their constitutional and personal rights during pregnancy. FIERCE, an eight year old membership-based group, supports members of the LGBT youth of color community. There is an emphasis on the homeless and low-income 13-24 year old demographic in New York City.

When Steinem took over the mike with the witticism, "My name is Gloria Steinem, and I'm the opening act for the debates," she seamlessly segued into the observation that in this "surrealistic election year, the Republicans have taken over the word feminist -- but removed all its content."

After that insight the evening's emcee, Suzanne Whang, took over and reminded the crowd," When you laugh, you are in the present moment." For the following hour, the audience enjoyed humor that related to their experiences, with no misogynistic punch lines.

On the political front, Kristen Schaal spoke of her obsession with the election, and her father who is voting for McCain. She explained, "My Dad said he didn't have me to cancel out his vote." Katie Goodman sang a song of farewell to the Republicans, and revealed that she could now travel without "telling cab drivers she was Canadian." Bernadette Pauley weighed in on the financial crisis suggesting "the problem with the economy was all the fake breasts bought on credit by women on television."

Drawing on personal material, Marla Schultz did a riff about fitting into her "skinny jeans" and her days growing up as a "Jewish girl who wanted to go to Catholic school." Connecting with the mother posse, Jane Condon admitted, "I have two boys," and then deadpanned, "otherwise everything's fine."

Performing last with an edgy monologue, Maureen Langan revealed, "I just have anger and rage." She asked why there were "different rules for men than women" and then doubled back to the Republican ticket. "When they say anybody can be president and vice-president, they really mean it!"

Langan's refrain of her act was probably the best advice of the evening for all the negative and obsessive thoughts that are a relentless plague. "Put it in a bubble, and blow it away," she said.

Photo Credit: Wendy Barrows Photography

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Comments

[ErrolSmythe]

I am a firm believer that life begins at the moment of conception.I am against abortion.I am a firm believer that marriage is the union between one man and one woman who become husband and wife as attested by millions of Marriage Certificates of Bridegrooms and Brides. I believe that male and emale procreate to have children.I believe that a man is born to be a man and a woman is born to be a woman. I believe that women are to be honoured by men and shopuld be treated with respect.

Sadly there is a tide of filth sweeping the world that is perveting people's minds . This tide of filth is a direct result of the failure to uphold the Word of God in some schools, in some churches ,in some families, in some judicial positions.When the Word of God is rejected things fall apart. Man loses respect folr himself and loses respect for his neighbour and becomes selfish, sensual and demonic.

We pray for Godly leaders to stand against the tide of filth.May God help our leaders. We pray for peace. May God help America and all the American's. Errol Smythe.

[AriUp]

Who is calling Palin a feminist? Abortion clinic bombers?

Just because you're female, that doesn't automatically make you a feminist.

Palin is the classic poster girl for patriarchal power and control, right down to reproductive rights. She symbolizes everything feminism stands against, that's why she's such an easy target for satire.

[ErrolSmythe]

Funny isn't funny anymore. It is a tragedy. Election victory thrown away just for a $ 150 000.00 wardrobe and bad choice of speech writers. Less than 10 days to turn the tide around? Who knows? Errol Smythe.

[goosegoose]

to turn the tide around to what? More War? more rich white republicans?
More Jobs overseas? Less healthcare? More Patriot Acts?
What is it exactly you see, as turning the tide?

Bush's third term? Palin's creationism government?
Mcain's 100 years of war? What is it Errol? are you afraid of universal health care?
Are you just simply afraid?

sounds like it to us!

[AriUp]

Election victory thrown away for $150,000.00 wardrobe? You're as delusional as McCain, Errol Smythe.

LOL!

[LTCJeffWhite]

I guess the freedom and future of 27 million Iraqis was a waste of the volunteers who paid for it?

I guess Americans are better people than anybody overseas? More worthy?

Talk about hypocrisy. It's OK to take from me, in order to give to indolent Americans - but we should never spend any of our hard-earned (for those who pay) tax dollars to assist any foreigner who wishes to stand by us and oppose terrorism and extremism... and I should be prevented from giving my life for the children here in Iraq - because YOU are tired of the cost?

You do not understand commitment.

And I am not obligated by any logic, or law, to pay for your health care - you make it sound as though it were free - as though just writing a law would make it so. Your "universal health care" would be a poor substitute for the finest medical system on the planet - driven to destruction by the same forces which doomed the Soviet Union.

[neem]

John McCain takes the "Fox News" viewpoint: to him, "a woman" is someone 30 years younger than him, who's good with a hunting rifle and looks fantastic. She can shoot and bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan, and never let you forget you're a man. So McCain has a "trophy running mate". It's hard to imagine a worse step backward for the cause of sexual equality.

[BleedingArtLiberal]

Hear, hear.

[AriUp]

Hey, it's McCain's 15 minutes more of fame. Why not have a hot babe up there with him, just to prove he can? :)

[cylindar]

The moral of the story is that women can be just as evil and rotten as men.

[ggfree]

Oh yes they can! Phyllis Chesler saved my life with "Women's Inhumanity to Women". She was warned by many feminists to not tell this dirty secret. One of the ways they are wicked is by tolerating and sleeping with mediocre and worse men because they haven't reached a place of financial and emotional autonomy. And thereby not forcing them to evolve. Who screws the warmongers?

[LTCJeffWhite]

Warmongers?

Is war always wrong?

My wife was a Soldier when she married me - and she is a Soldier still, though she resigned her commission to do something far more important - to focus on raising and homeschooling our (now) three children.

And she runs the home and the family while I serve in Iraq - providing hope to 27 million Iraqis who would have none without our presence here.

Their slavery means nothing to you "feminists" and "peace activists" in your naivete.

You cannot be bothered to know the truth about the worst mass-murderer in the history of this region, or his possession and use of chemical weapons (WMD). The truth is as unimportant to you as real fairness or actual justice.

[CBS]

Right on.....look at all the women driving gigantic SUVs. And they all don't have ranches. Believing women will be different just because they are women is absurd. McCain's pick of Palen should be seen as an insult to the many republican women who actually were qualified.

[HoraceOvidson]

So why are feminists giving John McCain a free pass on this Joe the Plumber stuff? McCain has not said one word about protecting Joan the Plumber. And why is that? Does John McCain think only men should be plumbers?

[AriUp]

Feminists are ignoring McCain and his dumb plumber rhetoric.
"Equal time for Joan the plumber"? Why bother?

[VoteforPedro]

Who Says Feminists Aren't Funny?

--

The fact that this question is recycled continuously as an article or essay title is your answer.

[cylindar]

Oh they are very funny. For instance when they said they would vote for McCain if Hillary did not get nominated. Now if that isn't funny I don't know what is.

[Bananafarm]

Wait, what? I'm a feminist and I voted for Obama in the primaries. I guess you're one of those dingleberries who thinks women have a hive mind and when one says something the rest must surely agree. Do me a favor and smack yourself in the face with a hammer.

[suhud]

Wish we could put anti-feminist (because she is) Palin in a bubble and blow her away. So please, people, get out and vote. Thanks.

[LTCJeffWhite]

By all means - make your mindless "blow her away" comments.

yes, and for those reading this to get an idea for how bad it can get on the left - let's get out and vote too!

(I already did)

[NPA]

Let's not get complacent! I volunteered today for the Obama campaign. Can you help? Call the Obama campaign or MoveOn.org.

[boing007]

The majority of Republicans said no way to the E. R. A.

Shame, shame, shame. McCain/Palin will be more of the same.

Palin is a petit bourgeois with Republican-style aristocratic (i.e. autocratic) ambitions.

[LTCJeffWhite]

The ERA was unecessary - all those laws were already on the books.

There is no trend to make women less free, at least not as compared to men.

[boing007]

Wish I could have been there.

Signed,

A 60 year-old male with two brothers-brought up by a mother and a grandmother (hmm, sounds familiar)- who has always supported women's rights. We still have a long way to go but we will never give up the fight.

[LeeCalif]

What a great gathering. I would love to have been there. Altho, joking about weight and breasts, well, I think you would've had to have been there.

[eden4barack08]

"...the Republicans have taken over the word feminist -- but removed all its content."

That's the best one, says it all.

[LTCJeffWhite]

I'm not too sure it ever really meant anything very useful.

Is a Feminist one who fights for women, and by extension against men?

It would seem in many cases that this has been so.

I am happy to fight for equality, and not for any particular gender; as I am NOT for the black man, or the white man - but for mankind (which includes women) - that each should be judged by the content of his or her character, as Martin Luther King Jr. said.

[carrieanna]

Yes, when you talk in terms of power. People in power generally don't give up their control easily. I don't remember men giving women the right to vote on a silver platter. We've had to fight for everything we've wanted.

To quote one of your other comments, "Is war always wrong?"