Okay, I’ll be upfront about this-
I’m about to get on my soapbox.
But I think it’s a soapbox that everyone in the comedy world should care very much about-
Free speech.
As people who joke, and as people who appreciate a good joke,
We understand that comedy is sometimes irreverent, sarcastic, satirical, dark, political, offensive, etc. etc.
We understand that comedy can piss people off.
We understand that comedy can challenge the status quo.
And most importantly,
We understand that comedy can’t exist without free speech.
But in our society,
There are a lot of people who do not value this right.
They believe that because a form of expression offends them, that this form of expression should not be allowed to exist.
A few months back, Comedy Nerds United published my submission titled, “Joining A Sorority: Rush Week.”
Today that article is under attack-
People are attempting to censor it.
This morning, when I woke up, I received an email from my sorority requesting that I remove the CNU article from my personal blog, http://courtneyclare36.tumblr.com/. (Follow me! Follow me everybody!)
Here is the email exchange that took place:
Email I received from my sorority:
Courtney,
It has come to my attention that you have some blog posts that pertain to our sorority and are not appropriate for all to see on the internet. I respectfully ask that you remove the following posts from your Tumblr: I Hate Socializing, Joining A Sorority: Rush Week, and My Sorority Initiation.
These posts are not consistant with the chapter’s ideals and values, and is not in accordance the Social Media Policy put in place by Phi Mu and Panhelenic Council here on campus. I have attached both of the policies for you to look over and should you have any questions regading them contact Debby (our PR chair who is CC’d in the email) or myself. These posts have upset many of your sisters because they mock what many of us hold dear about this sisterhood. Our Ritual is very important to us and many found it hurtful that you posted about it. So if you could please remove these posts, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you!
My Response
Basically a long, elaborate way of saying, fuck you!
Samantha,
Awww, you read my blog! I’m so flattered.
Don’t you find it fascinating that in a free society, where we have been guaranteed the freedom of speech, don’t you find it fascinating that we are so quick to try and eliminate opinions that are contrary to our own?
Isn’t it fascinating that, because we disagree with or we are offended by a viewpoint, that we try to suppress it?
Why can’t we simply be offended by a blog post, exercise our right to disagree with it, and then go about our merry way?
Really, it’s an interesting paradox if you think about it-
But enough philosophy.
You and the rest of the sisters are quite within your God-given rights to be upset when someone expresses herself in a way in which you are not accustomed. Those who have trouble laughing at themselves will probably find it unsettling when they meet someone who can, will, and does laugh at the absurdities that she finds within herself and her institutions. Your discomfort is understandable.
Now, does respecting something preclude an ability to laugh about it? Perhaps the answer is different for every person. In my case, I can simultaneously regard what is important to me with both a reverence and an irreverence, which is to say I can interpret an experience through more than one lens. For example, I respect and love my religion, but I frequently mock it on my blog because, when construed out if its usual solemn context, it has a lot of potential for humor.
Again, you and the sisters are quite within your God-given right to exercise your free speech, so it is perfectly appropriate that you would ask me to remove the blog posts to which you so passionately object.
Funny isn’t it? When a government fails to censor its citizens, the citizens themselves will take up the mantle. Ah, here I go philosophizing again! Right, now where was I…
Oh yeah.
I will not remove my blog posts.
Thanks!
Courtney
Now, the good people of Comedy Nerds United, why am I telling you all this?
Because I’m pissed off and I want to bitch about it.
But also because I want to tell you, all my fellow bloggers, that even if you experience criticism, be strong and don’t back down.