Comedian and author Shaparak Khorsandi has launched a searing critique of American talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, accusing him of normalising political violence through his jokes about Donald Trump. In a powerful piece, she argues that what masquerades as satire has crossed a dangerous line.
From Satire to Something Sinister
Khorsandi draws a stark distinction between legitimate political satire and Kimmel's recent monologues. She recalls Kimmel's jokes following an incident where Trump was threatened, which included a segment seemingly making light of the situation. For Khorsandi, this moves beyond poking fun at a politician's policies and into the realm of mocking a threat to a person's life.
"This isn't comedy," she contends. "It's the normalisation of something deeply troubling. When a public figure with a vast audience treats violence as a punchline, it desensitises us all."
The Chilling Effect on Public Discourse
The core of Khorsandi's argument is that such humour has a corrosive effect on public discourse. She warns that when violence is presented as a laughing matter, it lowers the collective barrier against actual aggression. This is particularly perilous, she notes, in today's highly charged political climate where polarisation is already at a peak.
Khorsandi questions the responsibility of comedians and broadcasters: Should there be a red line when it comes to jokes about physical harm, regardless of the target? Her unequivocal answer is yes.
A Comedian's Duty in Divisive Times
Reflecting on the role of comedy itself, Khorsandi suggests that the best political satire punches up at power and highlights hypocrisy, rather than kicking down or endangering. She expresses concern that Kimmel's approach abandons this principle for cheap laughs at the expense of basic humanity.
Her piece serves as a poignant reminder that words, even those delivered with a laugh track, carry immense weight and can contribute to a culture where unthinkable actions become increasingly thinkable.
