When we read Orwell’s 1984 back in high school, we had no idea just how prophetic it was. In fact, it was so prophetic, it was predictive. Just recently, in the culturally enriched, politically precious, socially regressive, Banana Republic of Victoriastan where hard workers die paying taxes and people live in fear of being the next victims to (more than the occasional) machete wielding jihadists, a young comedian by the name of Lisa Jane Spencer was unfairly dismissed from her workplace.
The cause for the uproar was her latest skit wherein she identified as an Indigenous person, participating in stereotypical Aboriginal behaviour and culturally traditional practices. No one is off limits where Lisa’s concerned, which is the way it should be. She has been consistent with her skits which have a kind of South Park-esque feel to them and are in my opinion, (unlike South Park) quite wholesomely hilarious.
Many will say it is wrong to stereotype or make broad generalisations about a people, group or culture, but everyone in the real world knows stereotypes exist. Most people also understand they don’t represent every individual in that group, and can still laugh hard because elements of truth or familiarity in the jokes resonate with them.
Lisa’s comedy can be described as satirically dark humour. It is controversial and provocative because it challenges socio-cultural and political hypocrisies while exposing the issues and absurdities within. Dark satire can be offensive and uncomfortable to many but is it really necessary to dox a person’s workplace and pressure them to instantly sack and defame her? I’ve seen many “artists” and comedians mock and blaspheme Jesus but no Christian would call for their cancellation or ruination.
Unfortunately, the bleeding hearts club took this opportunity to cancel yet another hilarious comedian who dared poke her head above the parapet. Once again proving just how obsessed this world has become with “protecting minorities” from words that hurt. Imagine being the one person in the room everyone is tip-toeing around because some liberal white people are standing close by policing words, ready to pounce on anyone who might accidentally use the wrong pronoun, colour or state a wrong opinion. It would be literally exhausting for that one person to watch people get cancelled, silenced or publicly shamed on their behalf. How absolutely patronising that anyone would think them too fragile to tolerate a joke, disagreement or incapable of defending themself. The moral outrage is racist in itself.
The reality is that the Indigenous people may not want to be rescued. They might be happy to simply live their lives without constantly being portrayed as victims in need of saving. They likely have no idea they have been turned into a political cause or fundraising campaign. One need only spend some time in their communities to know that funds have not met them on the ground and whatever opportunities exist are unbeknownst to them. People are individuals, they have different ambitions, values and aspirations. For this reason, they need to be handled on a case by case basis. They don’t need a professional class of activists to continually fight and speak on their behalf.
Anyway, I digress. The people missed the point Lisa was trying to make because they could not see past their tears. So let me reiterate. The uncomfortable truths are that there are many people with little or no connection to Indigenous communities who claim to be Aboriginal, and despite decades of support, funding and government intervention, there still remains communities of Indigenous people facing serious social problems, including substance abuse. The fact that the joke offended many more than the reality that exists is telling. It is easier to feign offense than it is to actually go there, meet them where they are and do something to help.
Another valid point Lisa was making was the fact that no one blinks an eye when men dressed as women take up spaces designed specifically for biological women only, yet a white girl who might genuinely identify as an Aboriginal is labelled racist. The moral outrage is ironic to say the least, but this is the world we live in, sadly. Too many people are too busy pointing their self-righteous fingers at each other to realise their own blind spots.
I hope and pray Lisa takes this to court, pursues an unfair dismissal claim and succeeds. The hypocrisy is outrageous. In a so-called democracy like Australia, no one should have to live in fear of losing their livelihoods over a joke or hurtful words. Those celebrating her dismissal should be careful because this sets a standard of censorship which is subjective and leaves the door open for anyone to lose their job for saying something their overlords dislike. People need to grow a backbone, in Christ.
Beauty For Ashes, Restoration 