Positionality in Humor

            Myriam Gurba’s article Why I Use Humor When Talking About My Sexual Assault highlights the importance of understanding positionality in humor. Humor that deals with subjects that are more than surface level, have to have an added level of nuance, or the joke will come off as flat. 
            As people become more and more aware of the trauma that is caused by acts like rape and sexual assault, there is a tendency to shy away from talking about it. Through “understanding” experiences of survivors, their experiences are pushed farther into the realm of taboo. Gurba raises this point when she recounts her experiences as a writer. “When I’ve discussed the book with journalists, students, and other writers, the same question repeatedly emerges: Why use humor to write about sexual abuse and violence? The inquiry veils a criticism. It implies that I’ve committed an impropriety by inviting readers to visit the intersection of horror and humor. I’m a cold and tasteless blasphemer for bringing them to this place. They would rather behave as if this intersection doesn’t exist. So much for intersectionality” (Gurba). Visiting this intersection is uncomfortable. However, stepping into this feeling breeds growth and a deeper understanding. She says that normalized understandings of sexual violence are shaped so that, “experiencing sexual violence is the worst moment in a survivor’s life, period” (Gurba). Approaching these situations with humor can circumvent some of the feelings of discomfiture. Additionally, the best people to help guide listener, viewers, or readers through their own self-made minefield of taboo are those who have an intimate knowledge with–in this case­–sexual assault and rape. 

    Not only does humor provide education, it acts as a vehicle for justice that may or may not be able to be achieved for victims. Instead of shying away from the experiences that many people live with, when they are ready, putting survivors front and center does so much good for themselves and people trying to understand the reality of others’ lives. 

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