The Importance of Context in Disability Jokes: Who Should and Shouldn't Tell Them

Editor’s Note: s.e. smith is a National Magazine Award-winning essayist and journalist based in Northern California. The views expressed in this commentary are their own. Read more opinion at CNN.

Last weekend, Shane Gillis didn't succeed in his attempt to impress during his appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He made jokes targeting the LGBTQ and disability communities, but the audience, including a member of the SNL band, did not react positively.

s.e. smith

s.e. smith

Dave Chappelle's "The Dreamer" is another example of a performer resorting to "punching down" for laughs. Gillis is not alone in using this comedic tactic, as seen in Chappelle's Netflix specials where he jokes about his own fame and reputation.

In a comedy special that premiered on New Year's Eve, Chappelle mentioned the likelihood of a handicap being placed at the back, where they are often seated. This attempt at humor used a derogatory term for disability and implied that disabled individuals should be kept hidden away. However, the criticism of such comedy remains stagnant, failing to address the larger issue of representation on stage.

Debates about controversial comedy in today's political climate often center on the backlash against social progress. Conservatives are becoming more uneasy and angry as marginalized communities push back and demand equality.

Since the emergence of the "politically incorrect" movement in the early 1990s, there has been a consistent pattern of responding to social advancements with harsh personal criticisms, aiming to belittle individuals. This trend is evident in the performances of comedians like Gillis and Chappelle.

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A more engaging discussion about comedy and disabilities is not about whether it's okay to make jokes about disabilities (it is) or if disabilities can be funny (they definitely can be).

The key question is who should be sharing these jokes and how the real-life experience of disability - aiming humor at those in power, not those marginalized - can lead to groundbreaking and daring comedy.

While well-known comedians like Chappelle easily find opportunities, many disabled comedians struggle to break through in a society where discrimination against disabled individuals holds them back. They lack the same level of fame as established comedians without disabilities, not because they are less talented, but because achieving fame often depends on having connections and influence, something Chappelle himself had to work hard for as a Black comedian.

Looking for some funny jokes about Down syndrome? Check out groups like Improvaneers or Drag Syndrome, a British drag troupe made up of all disabled members who put on incredibly funny and thought-provoking shows. These comedians and performers with Down syndrome are starting important conversations about the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities that many people are not ready to have.

Instead of being the target of jokes, they are the ones making people laugh, sometimes even challenging the mediocre humor of non-disabled individuals who try to use disability in their jokes - like Gillis, who made insensitive jokes about his own family members.

AFTER MIDNIGHT, airing Monday, January 22, 2024, with host Taylor Tomlinson.

AFTER MIDNIGHT, airing Monday, January 22, 2024, with host Taylor Tomlinson.

Sonja Flemming/CBS

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Opinion: Maysoon Zayid’s powerful comedy

Maysoon Zayid, a Palestinian American comedian with cerebral palsy, is a true double threat in the comedy world. She has been making audiences laugh for years with her stand up and sit down specials that delve into her experiences as a disabled Muslim woman. Zayid's humor is sharp and hilarious, as she fearlessly tackles issues of disablism and Islamophobia in her work. She openly acknowledges that these prejudices have been bigger obstacles for her than her own disability.

Comedians like Pat Loller, Harold Foxx, Josh Blue, Steve Lee, Danielle Perez, and Nina G incorporate their disabilities into their comedy routines, sticking true to the comedic tradition of self-deprecating humor. Rather than poking fun at others, making jokes about oneself is considered an art form. Disability comedy often challenges societal norms and perceptions, sometimes making audiences uncomfortable as it pushes boundaries and forces them to reconsider their understanding of disability in society.

Despite the fact that audiences enjoy their work, disabled comedians and individuals experiencing disabling life events often do not receive the recognition and appreciation they deserve. Bo Burnham's "Inside" special on Netflix was a notable exception, as the comedian tackled mental health issues in a widely popular but occasionally dark performance. This demonstrates that there is a demand for comedy that addresses disability issues from a personal perspective, rather than using it as a source of mockery.

Performances like Gillis' can be disappointing for multiple reasons. It's not just because they lack humor or because they can harm specific communities. These performances also serve as a constant source of frustration because each major deal with a big entertainment company like Netflix or NBC means a missed chance for a disabled comedian. This only serves to reinforce the existing inequalities that contribute to prejudice and discrimination against disabled individuals in our society.

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Watching disabled comedians perform, whether standing up or sitting down, may make some nondisabled audience members uncomfortable. However, this discomfort can actually be a positive aspect of comedy, as it can lead to self-reflection and humanization. One of the reasons disability can be scary to people is because it is often unfamiliar to them. Many nondisabled individuals may believe they do not know anyone with a disability or think that disability is a taboo subject. In reality, making jokes about disability can be a way to make it more relatable and approachable.

Approximately 20% of the US population is disabled, and anyone can become disabled at any moment. If openly disabled comedians were more accepted and successful in the entertainment industry, it could help reduce the stigma surrounding disability. In a world where disability is normalized, acquiring a disability may not be seen as a tragedy but simply a part of life. It can even be a source of humor in certain situations.

It's totally fine to share a laugh with us when we're poking fun at ourselves. However, it becomes a problem when comedy continues to portray disabled individuals as absent from the audience, and our community is seen solely as a source of amusement rather than valued members of society.

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