good comedy punches up

Illustration by Sophia Lobanov-Rostovsky.

A comedian mocking and mimicking a person with a disability is not edgy or daring, it’s easy, cheap, and cruel. Society has marginalized people with disabilities since its existence, and comedy’s role is to put this status quo into question.   

I have a genetic visual disability called Familial Cone Dystrophy. Having an invisible disability comes with its own privileges and hardships. While I do not face the same instant discrimination as someone with a visible disability, I find it can be difficult for people to understand what I’m experiencing. It is challenging to ask for help without appearing helpless. For example, I read at about half the pace of my peers, and I often need more time on certain tasks. Growing up, a common response I had from teachers when I asked for accommodations was being told I was “overreacting” about my condition, or that I shouldn’t take advanced classes at all if they were too challenging for me.  

I attended a comedy show a few months ago where the comedian repeatedly mocked people with disabilities in a way that was neither clever nor compassionate. Most of his set revolved around belittling groups of people who have suffered from discrimination, bullying, and physical disadvantage.   

After his set was finished, I went up to him and calmly explained that some of his jokes hurt me. To this he instantly became hyper defensive, told me I was “taking away his free speech”, and asked me to leave the comedy club.   

This reaction leads me to believe that said comedian does not know how free speech works. I did not insist that this man change his set or never perform again, I simply told him how his material impacted me and those close to me. Having a microphone, a spotlight, and a captive audience does not mean you are the only person in the room who has free speech. It also does not mean that you are free from how people will react.   

Two months following this, I performed at an open mic where the same comedian performs. I covered many topics in my set; I talked about my disability and growing up with a brother on the autism spectrum.  

The comedian’s jokes were about the same as they were when I had seen him two months before, but this time he seemed sheepish and evasive when he saw me.   

It was striking that while he did not change his material, he seemed apologetic knowing how I was personally impacted by it. I wondered if he would say the same jokes face to face with the people he was mimicking as he did on stage.   

I hold no grudge against this particular comedian, but I think he would be both funnier and kinder if he took the time to listen to feedback. In order to understand and dismantle oppressive structures in society, we all must listen to those who are negatively impacted by them.  

Comedy isn’t easy, it’s vulnerable and complex. While I don’t think comedy should ever be censored, comedians must be respectful and compassionate towards the people they speak about if they wish to be culturally relevant.