Lectures on Tap -"Humor, Activism & the Power of Comedic Protests Explored"

What’s so funny about demanding our rights? Join us for an illuminating evening exploring how humor has long been weaponized for justice. Building from George Orwell’s idea that “every joke is a tiny revolution,” this talk traces a vibrant history of comedic protest, from medieval court jesters to ACT UP’s Kiss-in and Funny or Die sketches that helped move Congress on sexual assault legislation.

We’ll examine “boots on the ground” activism like the Revolution of Dwarfs in Poland, the “Ku Klux Klowns” counterprotest in Tennessee, and South Korea’s 2024 wave of parody-fueled political protest. You’ll even meet “Pigasus,” the Yippies’ 145-pound porcine presidential hopeful from 1968.

The lecture culminates in a hopeful call to action: how each of us can use humorous strategies to deescalate conflict, spark creative problem-solving, and help build a more equitable world.