Comments on: Kerrying On: By Any Other Name

By: Brad

Brad — Wed, 17 May 2023 18:12:58 +0000

CL – Thank you! I’ve been a fan for many years when I first went through crucial confrontations. Influencer has helped me tremendously, and currently working through GTD with my 20 year old son. I truly appreciate the newsletters and answers to questions. I’ve read many of the articles that Kerry wrote, God rest his soul, and when I saw this I was excited. I appreciate CL maintaining and sharing his legacy.
Regarding the example of Bill Cosby, he was a clean comedian for many years and it is terrible how he treated women. I disagree with some that we should get rid of all good things someone has done due to a character failing. We don’t have to look very far to see hypocrisy in many of our political, sport, and social heroes. Having said that I think it would be good for CL to have an intro clarifying that this is a reprinting and certain examples at the time may not be the best in the current environment.
Regarding the comedic content. Generally, I agree that for family appropriate, and to a certain extent generally appropriate should not include racist, misogynistic, sexist, etc. should not be accepted. As consumers we have and should take the right to not support that. I would state the exception would be a comedian / speaker who uses such humor in a way to point out how inappropriate these things are. This would actually bring the audience together and not be divisive. Obviously, this takes skill and there is a line these jokes would not pass. – just my 10 cents.

By: Beth McNamara

Beth McNamara — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 14:13:22 +0000

In reply to AUDIOMIND.

Thank you for this. I agree. In my opinion, comedy is not a place where you should be making this argument. Many comedians use comedy to get people out of their comfort zones and to think differently and to do that they make fun of people of all types. There are some comedians, as Kerry points out, that are just jerks and disguise it as comedy. This is wrong to do, but please do not say that no comedian should ever joke about a group of people or a religion (extremes of any type are dangerous) … it sets a treacherous line on free speech. Where do you stop? The people that use it strictly to air their misogyny or racism often show their true colors – don’t patronize them. Generally speaking though, if we can’t laugh at ourselves then we need to look internally.

By: Kent Gale

Kent Gale — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 18:28:18 +0000

I agree completely. I have found that kindly stating how I feel about something inappropriate takes courage but is usually received with appreciation.

By: Alagesan V

Alagesan V — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 09:55:13 +0000

Dear mr kerry….I agree with your views and stand whole heartedly with you as it hinges on my conscience for anyone whether intentionally or otherwise hurt anyone in any manner.
However we ourselves cannot be erring when we are pointing out another.
In your own words”perfuming the pig” seems you are also pondering such things. Also another issue is mr cosby….i loved himm all my life until i came to know all the degenerate things he did when he had the advantage over others…..it is the same issue as in all the bigotry etc….he is definitely not a good example. Its like saying we all should be as good as Hitler when we are a leader at any level….just thinking out loud n sharing….please…no offence meant.

By: Rebecca Arthen

Rebecca Arthen — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 19:54:35 +0000

Great big huge Thank you for this empowerment! Well written well said.
Amen to your decision to write this.

By: Robert VM

Robert VM — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 17:44:47 +0000

re: Cosby reference. Maybe adding a brief intro with current editorial context that this was a piece written in 2005 and even though new history has come to light since then the ideas are still incredibly important to our current times. I will admit since this came to me via email as an update about newly posted CL material I thought it at first was a new piece.

That said I disagree with the stance that the specific comedian is not important, by the mere fact people are keyed on that part of the writing versus the ideas and arguments demonstrates otherwise.

By: Sandra Shill

Sandra Shill — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 15:57:07 +0000

I don’t think that “blue” humor should be lumped together with humor that denigrates people because of their gender, race, etc. While I think many comedians use blue humor as a lazy way of getting laughs, there’s nothing inherently wrong with it, as long as it’s not being done in a venue that promises not to have it (as was the case in this story, so, in this instance it *was* wrong). But “punching down” at historically marginalized groups, like people of color, women, etc. can be hurtful and is not okay, even under the umbrella of comedy. Blue humor, on the other hand, while it may make some folks uncomfortable, is not hurtful to anyone.

By: Christa

Christa — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 15:03:00 +0000

I’ve always called this your “consumer right”- If you don’t like a what a company does or stands for, you don’t have to buy their product. The same goes for anything else you find offensive, don’t buy, don’t watch, step away. When more of us have the courage to walk away, the company/product/ show gets hit in the pocketbook, that gets their attention and often leads to change. That being said, all comedians are not racists, bigots etc. and even those who are, have the right to free speech-you have the right to walk away.

By: Tina Beazer

Tina Beazer — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 14:12:34 +0000

I do not attend comedy shows, so I am actually shocked that “comedians” behave that way. Thank you, Kerry, for taking a stand for decency and civility.

By: TLG

TLG — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 14:02:22 +0000

In reply to Patty Kimber. This article was first published in 2005 when the Bill Cosby reference was not an issue. Mr. Kerry passed away a few months back and this was shared from his archive. The fact that he found a comedian's humor funny as a child is the point, it's not important which comedian it was.