IN this day and age, comedy is thriving.
Videos and images filled with humorous content are scattered all over social media. They don’t seem to be a problem superficially as they evoke laughter and lighten people’s moods. It is a way to unwind.
While most people would think that humour is harmless, it is not always so.
Singapore-born stand-up comedian Jocelyn Chia, who is now a United States citizen, recently received backlash from Malaysians for her joke about MH370.
The short clip of her performance at a club in New York, which was posted online in early June, sparked outrage, with Intan Maizura Othaman – the wife of a flight attendant on MH370 – coming forward to say her son Muhammad is still crying over the loss of his father.
“... and here you are making fun of the tragedy. Do you know how many mothers are still crying over the tragedy until today?” she said in a video posted on her TikTok page.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the comedian showed a total lack of sensitivity and empathy towards the victims’ families.
Describing Chia’s remarks as “gratuitously offensive comments”, Singapore High Commissioner to Malaysia Vanu Gopala Menon said his government does not condone words or actions that cause harm or hurt to others.
From this incident, it is evident that jokes, no matter how seemingly trivial, can be damaging. There is a thin line that shouldn’t be crossed when it comes to comedy. This then begs the question: when does a joke go too far?
After Chia’s video went viral, she defended herself by saying “tragedy plus time equals
comedy”. In essence, she sees referencing an incident like the ill-fated MH370 as harmless as the incident has long passed.
One really shouldn’t jest about an event just because it happened years ago. Everyone copes with grief differently. Some may still feel traumatised long after the event had taken place.
This applies to other tragedies, such as natural disasters and wars. Just ask, who are we to remark facetiously on other people’s miseries?
In addition, jokes shouldn’t promote cliches about anyone. Commenting on one’s race, religion and so forth, even when done laughingly, isn’t funny at all.
Many groups face the problem of being fitted in a box. Joking about these groups in a stereotypical light only allows the ideas forced on them to continue being propagated.
This isn’t a case of people not having a sense of humour, despite what the jokers might argue. Instead, it’s a case of perpetuating ignorance.
It is crucial to do our part to put a stop to the normalisation of oppressive opinions of specific groups of people.
Jokes aren’t supposed to be derogatory. When someone expresses hurt over your remarks, it is only sensible to take accountability.
It is one thing to stop and reflect earnestly on your words and actions, and another altogether to make light of the matter after you have received genuine feedback.
In short, giving a quip or two for laughs may be fun, but be careful not to overdo it at the expense of the feelings of others.
Eu Kenn, 16, a student in Kuala Lumpur, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education
To join Star-NiE’s online youth community, go to facebook.com/niebrats.
Now that you have read the article, test your understanding by carrying out the following English language activities.
1.Go to the Comics section of today’s copy of the Sunday Star newspaper. Rank the comic strips according to how funny they are to you, from the most to the least. Then, pick a comic strip and try your hand at creating comedy by rewriting the words in the speech bubbles. When you are done, present it to your activity partner. Does it make him or her laugh out loud?
2 A meme is an image or a video that is spread on the Internet. It is often humorous in nature. Using words and pictures from the newspaper, create a meme to be posted on your classroom noticeboard. Have fun but remember to exercise sensitivity!
The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme promotes the use of English language in primary and secondary schools nationwide. For Star-NiE enquiries, email starnie@thestar.com.my.
