Joy as a Political Act
I’ve grown up around terrorism. My dad worked in the World Trade Center for the bombing in 1993 and just barely missed the last train to make it into the twin towers on September 11. I remember that night in 1993, when Dad walked into our apartment, his face jet black with soot, his suit covered in ash. He looked so preposterous standing in the doorway, like an overdressed chimney sweep, that we burst into laughter as we ran to hug him.
I’ve grown up around terrorism. My dad worked in the World Trade Center for the bombing in 1993 and just barely missed the last train to make it into the twin towers on September 11. I remember that night in 1993, when Dad walked into our apartment, his face jet black with soot, his suit covered in ash. He looked so preposterous standing in the doorway, like an overdressed chimney sweep, that we burst into laughter as we ran to hug him.
After I graduated college, I moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts. I taught fifth grade during the day and performed comedy at night. I was in Boston for the marathon bombings and I “sheltered in place” as we heard sirens in the street and helicopters overhead. It’s the only time I’ve ever felt brave to be eating an entire pot of spaghetti in my underwear.
These are the mile markers of my life. At the same time, I luckily didn’t lose anyone I loved. I can only imagine what that would be like. In fact, if anything, my experiences have made me more grateful for the time I have with family and friends and for how precious and fleeting life can be. But I’ve also had a number of opportunities to think about life and terror and violence and how I want to respond to it.
As a comedian, when terrible things happen in the world, sometimes my job feels irrelevant or even inappropriate. How can I go out and tell jokes when there’s blood on the ground? Ignoring such naked human suffering feels offensive. To try and make people laugh feels insane.
I’m not sure that words can do justice to the horror of people being killed in Paris (or Beirut or Nigeria or Boston or New York or anywhere else in the world). But I think one of the most important functions of art is to communicate what we can’t express otherwise. Art provides a way of dealing with the most powerful emotions and feelings. And the more that I think about and live through acts of terror the more that I think laughter and joy in their wake aren’t inappropriate, but necessary. In response to those who would create fear and terror, joy is a political act.
I think it’s only natural to feel fear and sadness after something terrible happens in the world. But I also find myself feeling guilty if I laugh or enjoy the sunshine or feel joyful. And that’s what I need to push back on in myself. Because if terrorism is “the use of violent acts to frighten the people in an area as a way of trying to achieve a political goal,” then joy is its opposite and its antidote.
Thomas Aquinas said that “joy is the noblest human act.” Pierre Teilhard de Chardin was a French philosopher, paleontologist, and Jesuit priest. He said that “joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God.” Regardless of your religious beliefs, it’s clear that terrorism aspires to bring out the worst in us: fear, division, anger, and violence. There’s no stronger response than to refuse to give in. So don’t feel any guilt about smiling or dancing or throwing back your head in song. Tell a joke. Make someone laugh. Go see comedy or a play or a movie. Live your life. Experience joy as a political act, as a rebellion against violence and evil.
-Chris Duffy
Here are some works of art that make me feel joy when the world feels dark:
“It’s Going to Be Okay” by The Oatmeal
“The Summer Day” by Mary Oliver
John Oliver on The Paris Attacks
You Get A Spoon! with Julia Anrather, Matt Catanzano, and Richie Moriarty
Thank you to everyone who came out to the show tonight. It was a warm pocket of positivity in the midst of a dark, scary week. I'm glad you could be a part of it. Whether you were there or not, here are some things that we all recommended and love:
I recommended:
1) SockClub.com for socks that will make you feel like you are already a millionaire.
2) Animal noises in foreign languages. Here are some great illustrations about them
3) The Tovolo Silicone Mixing Spoon (duh)
Julia Anrather sang us some songs and then recommended:
1) Hanging philodendron house plants
2) the album Som Definitivo 1965 by Quarteto em Cy & Tamba Trio
3) Tying a plastic bag around your bicycle seat
Matt Catanzano from Simply Unemployable showed us his wallet video and then recommended:
1) ASH vs EVIL DEAD - On Starz, starring Bruce Campbell
2) Kiehl's Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash
3) Carnation Instant Breakfast packs
Richie Moriarty from Simply Unemployable tried his best to get Matt to see reason and then recommended:
3. This Simply Margarita Recipe (makes 2 margaritas):
2/3 cup reposado tequila
1/3 cup lime juice (preferably Goya "Jugo de Limon")
2 tbs agave syrup
Shake with ice. Pour over ice into salted rim glasses. Enjoy!
Congratulations to Scott! He won the spoon. Here are some pictures from the show:
3 Things: The Oatmeal, No Rhythm Guy, and Mary Oliver
Hi friends,
If you're new to these emails, welcome! Every Saturday, I send out a short email with three great things. If you feel like you haven't gotten these emails in a while, try checking to make sure this email is a trusted address so they aren't getting filtered to spam. For live shows, I've got a bunch featured below and a complete list on my website. Feel free to spread the word about these emails! Anyone can sign up for the mailing list online and/or check out the archive with all past emails here.
SHOW UPDATES:
CONNECTICUT:
Tonight (11/14) at 8 p.m. I'll be telling jokes at Wesleyan University with Aparna Nancherla. Free!
NEW YORK:
Sunday, November 15, at 7 p.m. it's my variety show You Get A Spoon! Come see a performance by Matt Catanzano and Richie Moriarty from Simply Unemployable, songs from Julia Anrather, and jokes from me. Plus lots of audience prizes and a chance to win the world's greatest mixing spoon. Get tickets here
Monday, November 16 at 9:30 p.m., I'm doing a short comedy bit at Joe's Pub as part of The Talent Show, run by the lovely and talented Kevin Townley and Elna Baker. Details/tickets here
ONLINE:
I'll be on Dave Hill's hilarious WFMU comedy/rock radio show on Monday night from11 p.m. to midnight ET. You can stream or listen here.
You can also see my full schedule up on the website now.
Ok, on to this week's list!
1 Thing I Think Is Great:
Sometimes, with all the suffering and violence in the world, it feels beyond inappropriate to make jokes for a living. My heart is with everyone in Paris right now and those whose loved ones are suffering. I'm not sure how words can convey the appropriate emotions sometimes. But I believe that's the role of art. Matthew Inman, the comedian and cartoonist behind The Oatmeal, put up this poignant and moving piece this week. It was before news broke of the attacks in Paris, but it couldn't have been more appropriate. To me, it's the perfect message for days like this when the world feels dark. "Get up, and help someone."The Oatmeal: It's going to be okay.
1 Thing That Made Me Laugh:
My friends Evan and Caitlin got married this year. They're two of the loveliest, funniest, best people around. After the wedding, the party headed to a local bar where a band, the Boston Naturals, were performing. They documented a truly amazing scientific phenomenon. Caitlin's cousin is utterly and completely devoid of rhythm. Apparently the band films all their gigs and the video of him trying (and failing) to clap along to the music has officially gone viral. It's hilarious. The Boston Naturals: No Rhythm Dude
1 Interesting Thing:
Mary Oliver is one of my favorite poets and I've re-read her poem "The Summer Day" several times this week. It's beautiful and simple and exactly what I've needed to hear recently. "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" It's well past summer, but there's no reason you can't revisit it for a few minutes and take a deep breath to appreciate this wild and precious moment. Mary Oliver: The Summer Day
Ok, thanks for reading! More details on shows and my full schedule online atwww.chrisduffycomedy.com/calendar/
Have a great weekend,
Chris
