Comedians have always played a special role in our culture and in pushing the culture forward. They are the truth-tellers, as Maya May says. Comedians not only see the absurdity in the world, they experience it widely during every tour, on every stage, and in front of every audience.
So what’s the role of a comedian when shit gets fascist-y? Well … it’s to do all the things they already do, but louder and braver.
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The incredible Marcella Arguello joined Maya May for this week’s Punching Up to talk about that weird and electric intersection of comedy, radical politics, censorship, fascism, and resistance.
ICE is in L.A., threatening New York, and potentially making sweeping moves in Chicago, and comedians must somehow remain both funny and politically urgent as their audiences — that is, all of us — go through the stages of collective grief and disillusionment.
“I’ve always said that comedy is rebellion — especially if you’re not punching down.”
A comedian’s role is literally to Punch Up.
Here’s what you should do: first, watch this episode. It’s funny. It’s dark. It’s hopeful, and there’s some advice for Democrats (not that they’ll listen) that you can use, too.
Second, check out Marcella on Instagram. She’s hilarious.
Third, go to MarcellaComedy.com to check out her next tour dates.
Oh, and fourth: Subscribe to Lincoln Square and share us with your network. We’re among the fastest-growing outlets on Substack, and it’s because of readers like you.
