Robin Williams never seemed to hold back whatever thoughts popped into his head.
He was willing to say and do whatever it took
to get a laugh!
But if today he used his Indian accent…
Asian accent… gay jokes… or dressed as
a woman… or used one of his many other stereotypical
tropes... then I think he would get fired
for it, or at the very least reprimanded and
expected to make some sort of public apology
until eventually his comedy would be castrated.
“When in doubt… make a dick joke.”
Robin Williams is a symbol of freedom.
The freedom to be who you want to be and say
what you want to say.
The freedom of expression.
The freedom to offend!
It has been said, “Oppression is not hearing
a word that offends you.
Oppression is being told that you cannot say
certain words because you will offend someone
else.”
We are becoming so oversensitive and politically
correct as a society that I worry our future
will be free of laughter because it will be
free of offense.
“I was once on a German talk show, and this
woman said to me, “Mr. Williams, why do
you think there is not so much comedy in Germany?”
And I said, “Did you ever think you killed
all the funny people?”
I think it’s important we permit offensive
language because all language is offensive
to someone somewhere...
German comedy, "knock, knock... WE ASK THE QUESTIONS!!"
especially in our politically
polarized world where if someone isn’t in
our tribe or party we assume the worst
intentions.
From a psychological perspective, when we
like a person we’re more likely to laugh
at their jokes, or at the very least excuse
them.
Part of the reason why Robin Williams could
get away with murder was because he was so
well-liked by everyone.
He could make fun of you to your face and
you’d still laugh.
But I’m not suggesting we should be forced
to like everyone because forced laughter isn’t
fun for anyone, but what I am suggesting is
that despite not liking someone we should
still give that someone the benefit of the
doubt by assuming their well-intentioned.
Looking at the world from an easily-offended
lens only pushes people away thereby making
the world that much more offensive.
Laughter brings us together, and some times
the best way to bridge the gap is by poking
fun at our differences.
