The abuse of "social commentary"

I have become consumed with the San Francisco police department. As I'm sure you all have heard, they've recently gotten into some trouble with offensive videos that were made to “boost morale.” The videos show officers running over black people, objectifying women, making fun of the homeless and a variety of other unacceptable things. The videos attack the diversity that the city celebrates. The officer who directed the videos is flummoxed by the fact that it offended people. He said that if it did offend someone "he is sorry." But he is "not sorry he made the videos" only that they were released to the public. A recent statement says that the officers meant the videos to be "social commentary." People are going crazy over this. I understand the outrage. But I also understand how these officers can use this excuse. As someone who has always struggled with humor found on Reno 911 and the Chapelle Show, it makes me uncomfortable when people answer claims that their humor is offensive with the excuse of "social commentary" or "irony.” I will admit, I have watched both of these shows (and many others that often make fun of marginalized groups: Will and Grace, Family Guy, Simpsons) and laughed. However, I feel slightly sick about it. I really feel sick now that I see these officers using the same excuse that many comedians use. I would like to think that I am intelligent enough to realize the ridiculousness of people thinking that these stereotypes are real. I'd like to think that most of my friends do not form their opinions of minorities based on Dave Chapelle or Reno 911. I'd like to think that by watching those shows we better understand all the stupid people that exist in the world—not the minorities that are represented. But the thing is--not everyone is as smart as my friends or myself. There are people out there who watch these comedy sketches and think to themselves, "That's right! Those homeless people deserve to be run over." There are people who watch last week's Family Guy (which made fun of date rape) and laugh without giving pause to the fact that rape is not funny yet many people think getting women drunk and taking advantage of them is acceptable.

I have devoted my life (so far!) to studying messages, trying to understand the power of language and how words reinforce structures of power which subordinate women. By default I often study how "in" groups are able to define what an "other" is. So often the "in" group put these “others” on display, makes fun of them, and use them as examples of what not to become. That is NOT funny. It is NOT ironic. It is real and damaging. There are better uses (and needs) of social commentary than reinforcing stereotypes.

I'm still wrestling with these ideas. But I do know this, if humorous shows increase the liklihood that powerful people (like police officers) are able to make videos in the name of "social commentary," I will have no problem boycotting the "social commentaries" I once viewed as harmless and comedic.