Schizophrenia, pedophilia, racism, animal abuse — difficult subjects all, but each issue offers an opportunity for hilarity. When making a point humor is a useful tool, which in most cases can bring the absurdity or the distastefulness of something to light. However, there are those who would like to see the comic freedom ended on this campus.

Let’s take the Herald comic Adam’s Rust for example. Rust has used his comic as a tool to speak on the issues of the day; often he has done so controversially. Two weeks ago his strip was dedicated to the Catholic Church sex scandal (click on comic above)

In a creative (and hilarious) way, he informed the public of the problem and his opinion of it. Whether you agree with the method or not, Rust has the right to display his beliefs in the way he sees fit.

A few days after the strip appeared the Herald printed a letter to the editor in which the author exclaimed: “I don’t get. I don’t understand the joke ? it just doesn’t seem like a very funny topic or one that is appropriate for the comics page.”

The point wasn’t for you to laugh out loud because children are being molested; the point is to put a spotlight on a very current problem.

This comic and several others drawn by Rust have resulted in angry letters with authors ranging from offended animal rights activists to angry schizophrenics, calling for Rust’s resignation — in essence advocating censorship. The Herald correctly ignored (but published) these letters, choosing to remain on the side of free speech.

Those who argue against this type of humor as a medium often do so by saying it is not appropriate. Free-speech haters have always hid behind the auspices of appropriateness.

What they fail to see is the danger inherently involved in limiting speech because it is offensive.

What I find offensive is the effort to blunt the effectiveness of a statement through watering down the message. Here’s a joke:

What’s funnier than a crack whore begging for change on a street corner? Give up? Nothing. Not exactly appropriate, is it?

What if I were to follow this joke with a heartfelt essay on the downtrodden existence of drug-addicted prostitutes, and the need for society to lift them from the gutter; would that make it palatable to thin-skinned activists?

If you are thinking yes, you need a taste of life without censors.

The cocoon of political correctness surrounding our fair community — this Emerald City — must be broken in order to clearly see reality. The easily offended must realize that truth needs no caveat.

If a person is not able to move past the comfortable and into the raw, they will never be able to fully understand any issue. There are times when the ugliness of an issue can be illustrated best through humor.

Using humor to make a point is certainly not a new tactic, but on this campus humor seems to be the misunderstood stepbrother of fervent outcry and weekly protests. Of course there is a danger in offending just to offend; this is generally blatant and easily recognizable. However, free speech in general allows distasteful things to happen. KKK marches, flag burning, tree hugging, these things may be offensive to some, but the right to speak and to print at will is essential.
For everyone out there who believes you have to express yourself with a dour countenance and serious words: Lighten up, or do us all a favor and stop reading the comics page.

James P. Kent ([email protected]) is a senior majoring in economics and business management.