Same Shit, Different Century

I propose to you a discussion on the fierce political weapon of comedy. Brilliant, delicious, uncomfortable; all these words describe the beautiful power of feminist humor. When misfortunate  patriarchal conditions continue to loom overhead like a threatening thunder cloud, it seems like insightful satire is necessary to maintain a grasp on sanity. The feminist rallying cry "the personal is political," stresses that things that effect women exclusively such as reproductive rights, LGBT+ issues, equal pay, etc. are worth public discussion. Beginning with unique personal experiences can create the foundation or platform for larger systematic issues. The trajectory from the Women's Liberation movement to Women Strike for Peace against HUAC to the Women's Marches of today emphasize the growing protest culture.  The punch up against authority and speaking the truth is an empowering tactic through a common force: laughter. Gray's discussion on "Women and Laughter" suggests that there is inherent power in silence, and therefore the breaking of it. Radical strategies create routes to alternative comedy that commands attention (Gray 15).

"President Wilson, How long do you advise us to wait?" A banner proclaiming this message is held by a group of women at a march for suffrage. Finger pointing tactics advance claims to simply point out indescretion. Mrs. Banks song "Sister Suffragettes" from Mary Poppins also comes to mind. "We're clearly soldiers in petticoats, and dauntless crusaders for women's votes. Though we adore men individually, we agree that as a group they're rather stupid" A daunting theme in popular culture of the early 20th century was the subversion of male and female roles. Cartoons and advertisements depicted women hurrying out the door to vote while the husband handled the household duties.

In the 1960's, amidst the fears of communism, the Women Strike for Peace movement used the powerful rhetoric of maternalism in justifying their activism. It is unique to chart the spectrum women can identify with domesticity. The stroller pushing housewives protested outside the Capitol building, and used sarcastic naiveté against male rigidity to create an "I Love Lucy" style banter against the committee. They protested in their Sunday dresses and white gloves and walked hand in hand with their children to each trial. This mobilization had an unprecedented internalization of the feminine mystique, however it appears as evidence of sarcastic, subversive humor to undermine male superstition.

From pink pussy hats to bra burning, modern feminist movements such as the Women's Marches use protest signage to embrace political humor. I do implore you to check out some of these signs. I can't fit them all in this document (search). It is fascinating to analyze the similarities in differences in the waves of movements, particularly the usage of media influence. The political cartoons of suffragettes, the broadcasted protests of HUAC, and social media influence of modern feminists emphasize that concept of breaking silence in an influential and strategized way. The fertile terrain of cultural experimentation has been necessary in feminist popularization. Success has been moderately achieved due to the commonality of humor, a fundamental human characteristic we can all identify with. To conclude with commentary from Gray, "Jokes are the bridge." "... anarchy and contradiction are, in any area of comic discourse, healthy symptoms" (Gray, 15).