Girling

It’s funny. It’s relatable. It’s true. It’s feminism. 

I’m a big comedy fan. I mean, I guess who isn’t a comedy fan? Nonetheless, I am. And it wasn’t until recently that I realized how so many of the comedians I gravitate toward are women. Despite the relentless trope about women not being funny, when I start listing present-day famous comedians, the first people I think of are Ali Wong, Chelsea Handler, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling, etc. My boyfriend, however, does not. Any time we try to pick a comedy special to watch (which is more common than you may think!), we can never find a comedian we both like. He gravitates more toward the Bill Burrs and Dave Chappelles of the world. 

Now don’t get me wrong, I am open to all kinds of comedy. I appreciate the sardonic, dark, absurdist humor of Monty Python. I celebrate the topical, often political, humor of Saturday Night Live and The Late Show. I even understood when critics feared for the future of comedy as Cancel Culture became a household turn of phrase. Of course, this did not make great comedians any less funny, creative, or observant. It just identified who among comedians was relying on bullying to earn their dinner.

It just identified who among comedians was relying on bullying to earn their dinner.

What I’ve noticed as my boyfriend and I have tried to identify mutually enjoyable comedians is that the female comedians I select use their platforms not only to be funny, but also to make a point. They are often preaching feminist ideals and raising awareness of women’s daily struggles. For example, in Ali Wong’s most recent Netflix special, Don Wong, she openly reveals her struggles with motherhood and marriage and how she feels trapped by the conventions and social roles applied to women in traditional roles such as mother and wife. It’s funny. It’s relatable. It’s true. It’s feminism. 

There have been several new comedy specials from popular female comedians released recently and I’ve seen the same pattern across all of them. Whatever the comedian’s style is, she calls out sexism and injustice while still giving her audience what they came for- humor. 

She calls out sexism and injustice while still giving her audience what they came for.

I haven’t seen the same trend across male comedians. Hell, I love John Mulaney, but there was a noticeable difference between the content and depth of John Mulaney’s special versus that of Wanda Sykes. To his credit, I do think John Mulaney’s special opened a dialogue about addiction and recovery, but Wanda Sykes made her audience laugh while discussing racism, anti-vaccination campaigns, homophobia, and the ignorance that comes from not experiencing oppression firsthand.

Women comedians are doing really cool things. They’re not just being funny, but they’re using their platforms to talk about social issues. When critics thought social justice movements would destroy comedy, female comedians proved that you can be funny without doing so at the expense of minority groups. In fact, they’re proving you can be funny while adding to the conversations around social justice issues. I’d like to see more male comedians step up to the plate and do the same. 

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