In poor taste

Until now, the one case of slapping by what is supposed to be the happiest person in the honoring ceremony has dominated the press, rather than the winners or their attire, at the recent Oscars. The slapping began after a presenter made fun of his wife. And, because it raises a variety of linked themes, the complete picture has provoked a wide range of opinions from people all around the world. In general, though, it was a nasty comment meant to upset someone. It's a type of insult comedy.

Insult comedy is a genre of comedy in which the performer's act consists mostly of insults hurled at the audience or other performers. Individuals in the audience, the municipality hosting the performance, and the roastee are all typical targets for insults. Insult comedians are known for having a competitive and involved relationship with their audience. The style has been described as "festive abuse." This style can be distinguished from a satirical or political comedy act. Even if the rest of the event isn't focused on it, insult comedy is commonly used to distract or quiet hecklers.

People often take a comedian's words seriously, which is the exact opposite of the comedian's goal. The main objective of a comedian is to make us laugh. It's because he needs to create that tone in order to get laughs that he appears to be a firm believer in his remarks. It is up to the viewer to figure this out. It's a skill-based version of method acting.

Overall, insult comedy is gaining popularity because it demonstrates how inventive we can be with a format that has been handed down through the years. That is a skill. And abilities are valued in today's society.

What happened at the Oscars, on the other hand, has had a significant impact on a particular sector or gender. Abandoned and marginalized women, for example, are frequently the target of insults and humiliation. Those defending Will Smith (as you should) should spare a thought for the innumerable Black women, transgender individuals, and others who are regularly insulted and humiliated in the name of "joke."

Their bodies, in particular, can and have been the subject of criticism. Their bodies, on the other hand, are not in the public domain. They aren't a punchline, especially when the shift isn't their choice. There are victims of violence who have survived. Some of them have been subjected to psychological torture and manipulation.

When we employ violence to defend a humiliated loved one or comrade, however, it takes on poisonous, destructive, and unjustified shapes.

We might have laughed heartily at similar jokes made at the expense of specific groups. It's typically satisfying to laugh and feel "in on" the joke. While all comedy has an overt message, much of it also includes a hidden, negative message that we may not be aware of or realize we're communicating. Even if they aren't present, our laughing at their expense sends a strong message defining "insiders" and "outsiders."

And, if we happen to be part of the target group, such humor can erode our feeling of self-worth, organizational dedication, and performance.