Can Comedians Really Lead Us to Sanity and Civility?

Perhaps it is time to supplant the Biblical statement that "a child shall lead them" (Isaiah 11:6) with something more contemporary. How about "two comedians shall lead them"? Here's a large dose of gratitude to Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert for their inspiring civility lessons this weekend in Washington, D.C. Perhaps tapes of the event should be required viewing in civics classes these days?

If you have been following this column the past few weeks, you will know that I tempted fate by wandering into the possibility that someone like Condoleezza Rice could teach all of us something about dealing with circumstance. While no fan of her politics or her role in furthering conflict on the planet, she nonetheless served to remind some that you don't have to add self-victimization to the victimizing behavior or circumstances in which you might find yourself.

Many readers saw the wisdom and recognized that even our worst enemies might have something of value to teach us, while many more jumped on the hate bandwagon and attacked everything from her parents to me for writing about it. In many ways, the reactions to these columns served as a kind of backdrop to the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear.

My fear is that the fear side will still continue to take center stage for many, accompanied by unhealthy doses of animus. About the only aspect of the rally that I disagreed with was Stewart's comment that "we could have animus and not be enemies." Given that animus literally means "a usually prejudiced and often spiteful or malevolent ill will" and is the root word for animosity, it seems pretty much a given that harboring animus will provoke enemy-like reactions. However, it is also clear that Stewart and Colbert were there to promote something far loftier than animus.

When Colbert turned to Steward and said, "Your reasonableness is poisoning my fear," I thought, Now there's something we could do with a whole lot more of: reasoning rather than poisonous vitriol. Kid Rock and Cheryl Crow added even more "reasonableness" when one of their songs echoed a powerful reminder: "If I can't change the world to make it better, the least I can do is care."

Through these many columns over the past couple of years, my constant message is that even if you can't change the world, at least you can change yourself. If you can't change your circumstance, at least you can change how you respond. So, you can imagine how inspiring I found this rally to be: two comedians and some rock stars reminding us that life can be lived devoid of the nasty rhetoric that has become all too commonplace in what passes for discourse these days.

Several people wore t-shirts promoting a Stewart-Colbert ticket in 2012. Even though that seems unlikely, perhaps the two comedians could lead the effort to bring politics and campaigning into an atmosphere of disagreement without having to be disagreeable in the process.

In closing today's piece, I welcome the opportunity to share with you the following letter from a reader, who wrote last week about his own experience of dealing with racism.

I am a young Indian Democrat, but I share your admiration for Secretary Rice. I completely agree that her story is remarkable and an example of how someone can move from victim of circumstances to deciding his/her own fate.

I recently graduated from a large university in Boston, MA and I just wanted to share with you my experience of racism there and ask for your advice. I was born and raised in Blue state Boston and grew up unaware of my race, which is to say I thought that racism was just something that black people had to address, that it was just a spectator sport as far as I was concerned.

Then after September 11th that changed and, while I was still in a high school (a small Christian school) I was routinely called a "terrorist" and told to "go back to my country," even though my classmates at the time knew that I was born and raised here. After I graduated I thought it would get better, attending a liberal arts college in the northeast, but I was sorely mistaken.

I started taking the subway to school and I was constantly pulled aside for questioning, wanding, and other "routine security screenings." I became increasingly bitter and obsessed with race. I began believing that every insult or rude gesture directed at me was race-based. I completely withdrew and spend most of my free time alone, reading Edward Said and Toni Morrison in search for some answers as to why people with whom I had grown up, in a city where I was born and raised, would see me as an enemy. I graduated early and spent the next two years as a shut-in unable to go outside without feeling as if people only saw the color of my skin.

Then I read Dreams From my Father and everything changed. I realized that it is possible to become successful and escape the trappings of race without sacrificing your racial identity. Shortly after President Obama began his campaign for the presidency I began volunteering full time for his campaign in Massachusetts, and canvassing for him in NH on the weekends. His campaign helped me see that most if not all rational, thinking individuals were able to separate the content of one's character from the color of their skin.

I believe that I am now at the end of that long journey from victim to "decider." Although I still find it hard for me to accept that people see me for who I am and not merely for the color of my skin. I still feel bitter about racism and prejudice and I have a keener eye for it though I am able to sweep it under the rug far more easily now. I am applying to graduate schools and writing personal statements of character and purpose and I am finding a way to "write myself (my new self) into being," much the same way Ellison, Douglas, and Thoreau managed to do. I don't want to feel bitter anymore and I want to stop feeling as if my skin color determines who I am or can become.

Thank you so much,
Ayin

How's that for an amazing story of choosing your response to ugly circumstances? I would love to hear from you about your ideas, about what you have done to work around the challenges you are facing, or about what you have seen a friend or neighbor do that has been effective.

Please do leave a comment here or drop me an email and let me know your experience.

***

Russell Bishop is an educational psychologist, author, executive coach and management consultant based in Santa Barbara, California. Watch for his new book, "Workarounds That Work: How to Conquer Anything That Stands in Your Way at Work," to be released January 2011. You can find out more about Russell at www.lessonsinthekeyoflife.com. Contact Russell by email at [e-mail].

 

 

 

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Comments

[cupcake77]

07:48 PM on 11/06/2010

Whatever anybody else thinks, their civility to restore sanity, at the Mall in Washington DC was a refreshing break from all the hate.

[theryan]

08:48 AM on 11/02/2010

I can't really tell the difference between a comedian and a politician. No, that is not a easy crack at the politicians being "jokes," but more on the compliment to be successful in their respected fields they need to master their craft. Words. To me, the most powerful thing on the planet is(or is it are? It's early, give a brother a break.) words. If the message is clear, sane, and reasonable, why should I care who it comes from? If Hitler(yeah, I am so going there) told me to treat my fellow man with respect and work for a better tommorow, I would perk up and listen. Call me insane, but these "comedians" are worth listening to.

[NevaforLeadership]

12:33 AM on 11/02/2010

The answer is no.

They are wannabe politicians who never had the guts to be politicians. That is the key to how successful they would be as politicians.

[merlinspinoza]

10:07 PM on 11/01/2010

it needs a herione e.g. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwPdADAHWtE&feature=related

our speaker of the House of representatives, Nancy Pelosi ; the vatican just has to get used to a catholic lady riding a lion

[KIMBER]

09:57 PM on 11/01/2010

Historically speaking, the jesters and fools are the only ones who can get by with telling the whole truth all of the time.

[Sarahlein]

01:59 AM on 11/02/2010

Wish they had a "like" button on HP!

[leftLibertarian]

09:31 PM on 11/01/2010

One word - no make that two words:

Rob Schneider

[JHKH]

08:51 PM on 11/01/2010

Racism is practiced by every race or ethnic group to some extent. It takes being the majority race to make the practice effective, institutional, accepted. As an Asian, post-WWII, I was keenly aware of it, although being female largely insulates one from the overtly violent or threatening aspects. It took moving to Hawaii to experience the flip side of racism. Suddenly Asian was the majority. There was an automatic acceptance. Doors seemed to open more easily. Heads did not turn when entering a restaurant. I was visually part of the scenery, not the only dark-haired head in a sea of blondes and browns. It was a revelation. I've also seen the reaction that Caucasian Americans have upon settling in Hawaii. Many suffer an acute reaction to being different, to suddenly being the only non-Asian/local looking person in a group. Those who have an underlying bigoted outlook usually can't handle the adjustment and resentfully return to the "United States" -- having never recognized that Hawaii has been a state for 50 yrs.

Don't get me wrong, Hawaii is the most race-neutral place I have ever experienced. One's race is never an issue because every family has someone who is Japanese/Chinese/Puerto Rican/Caucasian/Hawaiian/Filipino -- you pick. People are people, and we all bring our own bigotries with us, until we learn to overcome them.

[mlaiuppa]

11:55 PM on 11/01/2010

We will always have isms. Even if racism is obliterated, we can count on sexism, ageism and weightism.

As I've grown older and gained a few pounds I am finding it harder to distinguish whether it is my age (and gray hair), my weight or my gender that is effecting my circumstances. No, I'm not paranoid. I have more degrees and experience than ever before, yet am passed by for promotions and interviews for job opportunities. I can't help but wonder if it is because I am now over 55.

[rikster]

08:07 PM on 11/01/2010

a"B" movie actor..maybe..comedians..no..

[Weirdwriter]

08:15 PM on 11/01/2010

Reagan was even more over-rated as a politician than he was as an actor.

[julbar]

07:04 PM on 11/01/2010

I think we can say in all honesty that Jon Stewart has become more than "a Comedian."

[axt113]

12:21 AM on 11/02/2010

No he's still a comedian, but comedians aren't just people who tell fart jokes

[GCurry]

06:05 PM on 11/01/2010

No, comedians can help us take a deep breath. But we need people who can lead a serious, socially responsible movement in this country. Sadly, Franklin Roosevelt wouldn't have made it through the primaries today.

[Weirdwriter]

08:14 PM on 11/01/2010

Perhaps, perhaps not. But I like to think much of FDR's success came from his optimism, good humor, and his continued example of sense and civility.

For me, President Obama embodies that as well. We needed that "deep breath" to remember we could be better.

[TYRANNASAURUS]

05:56 PM on 11/01/2010

Can Comedians Really Lead Us to Sanity and Civility?

The question is why??????

Sanity is a handicap in this insane world and causes headaches.

[Weirdwriter]

08:15 PM on 11/01/2010

By golly, now I know the REAL reason the dinosaurs died!!!

[Konnie]

05:50 PM on 11/01/2010

i bet all of this was said about mark twain and will rogers.....................geez lighten up. oh i forgot that's what the rally was spose to do. someone's wrapped a little tight.

[PaulArt]

05:22 PM on 11/01/2010

The question that needs to be asked is not whether Stewart and Colbert should lead a rally, the question is, 'have the Liberals run out of leaders?' There is not a single person in the public eye who can rally the Left? They are all absent. All co-opted by the DNC and Corporations. The most important point proved by the massive crowd was the amount of support common sense policies have - policies for which in this wonderful country there are no leaders to support. Jon Stewart and Colbert are wonderful to watch after a tiring day at work but saving Society is serious business. One reason perhaps our wonderful Democratic caucuses failed to be represented at the Rally was no one wants to be associated with Comedians never mind how serious they may be in advocating a cause? Its a good time to get out the "House of Cards" DVDs and watch it. The next two decades are going to be a great victory for the GOP Social agenda. We are going to ban abortion, gay marriage, terrorize the minorities and plant Bombay slums around the country. I congratulate President Obama for this fantastic accomplishment.

[MrsPeel]

09:35 PM on 11/01/2010

"House of Cards" was a fabulous series! Glad to find another person who has watched it.

[darquelourd]

05:14 PM on 11/01/2010

ugh, you mentioned Condi, Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow in your post, Russell, what are you trying to do - KILL us all?

[whitemale08]

05:14 PM on 11/01/2010

...ever since president Bill Clinton did an interview with actor DiCaprio, I forgot dude's first name), politics and elections are nothing but clown shows.

Notice the rally didn't protest the banksterst that are looting America because the because the banksters are bankrolling these clown's salaries.