By: Ben May
In the current political climate, satire has and will continue to be a key part of how news is spread in the media. In the popular TV show South Park, each episode is filled with vulgar and extreme forms of satire. I argue that this extreme form of satire is needed in our society, especially for young voters, as it allows for a chance to learn more about current events and issues in our society from a different perspective.
In the current political climate, satire has and will continue to be a key part of how news is spread in the media. In the popular TV show South Park, each episode is filled with vulgar and extreme forms of satire. I argue that this extreme form of satire is needed in our society, especially for young voters, as it allows for a chance to learn more about current events and issues in our society from a different perspective.
South Park is unique in the fact that it is one of the few shows that can successfully “ridicule politics, culture, and the endless contradictions of American liberalism via gross bodily humor” (Thorogood, 2016, p. 18). The willingness of the writers to push boundaries and go far beyond anything close to political correctness in their mocking of politicians, activist groups, and community leaders could be why young people are so attracted to political satire. The power of satire goes far beyond just poking fun and pushing boundaries; it is the willingness to talk about difficult topics and situations through comedy.
South Park time and time again releases episodes that are controversial and even draw protests from certain groups because of their content. In fact, there was one episode that was praised by the NAACP “for its portrayal of white appropriation” while also protested by the Parents Television Council (Thorogood, 2016, p. 4). By discussing these topics openly and without backing down, the show has successfully opened a narrative. Often times a narrative that many will shy away from.
The current generation of young voters are those who have grown up with technology around them for nearly their entire lives. Therefore, young people (including myself) always want what is new and what is trending, including news stories. Many satirical shows, including South Park, allow for this to happen through new episodes every week (Thorogood, 2016, p. 13). The ability to address an issue that has only recently occurred attracts young people to watch. For example in 2013 after Edward Snowden disclosed information about the NSA to the public, South Park released an episode on the topic titled “Let Go, Let Gov.” This episode mimics the situation and even has one of the characters leak government secrets just like Snowden did in June of 2013 (Szoldra, 2016).
This prior example demonstrates how satire allows for a more relaxed, yet still informative approach to a variety of topics (Thorogood, 2016, p. 2). Receiving news through mainstream outlets allows for stories to be told through straightforward methods. However, young voters typically are not solely watching mainstream news (Young & Tisinger, 2006, p. 128). In fact, most young people are actually watching both satirical and mainstream news to obtain their knowledge on current events (Young & Tisinger, 2006, p. 128). This means that both methods are viable and are important to how the public, and in particular, how young people view the current political climate. Having both sources available to use and to obtain information gives better opportunities for the audience to establish stances and opinions on important topics. Political satire opens the door for the audience to new perspectives on important information that otherwise would not be discussed.
References
Joe, T. (2016). Satire and geopolitics: Vulgarity, ambiguity and the body grotesque in south park. Geopolitics, 21(1), 215-235. doi:10.1080/14650045.2015.1089433
Szoldra, P. (2016, September 16). This is everything Edward Snowden revealed in one year of unprecedented top-secret leaks. Retrieved from https://www.businessinsider.com/snowden-leaks-timeline-2016-9
Young, D. G., & Tisinger, R. M. (2006). Dispelling late-night myths: News consumption among late-night comedy viewers and the predictors of exposure to various late-night shows. The Harvard International Journal of Press/Politics, 11, 113–134.
Word Count: 531
Tags: political satire, south park, young voters, satire,
Ben,
ReplyDeleteSo. You're a fan of South Park. I might have guessed. Me too!
As you know, I also have an abiding academic interest in political satire. Glad to see you exploring this burgeoning field of inquiry. Perhaps I'll see you in senior seminar one day.
In the meantime, I have a few thoughts and suggestions on improving your performance on this assignment.
First and foremost, you've got to make use of our "house style." Your post is all wrong on font size, style and, at times, color.
And check your use of APA. The first cite is wrong. You want to use the author's last name. And check use of italics for the final reference. As for Szoldra, don't list it if you don't mention it in the body of your essay.
More substantively, I'm glad you took a stab at clearly marking your central argument. While your thesis is a bit unclear, with practice you'll be in fine shape in no time.
Equally important, I'd ask that you make the most of some of the evidence and examples you've assembled. For instance, the paragraph on reaction to South Park from different groups is good, but underdeveloped.
Likewise, how, precisely, does the clip illustrate or support your argument. I note this clip doesn't, as I expected, include any of South Park's "toilet" humor. However, it does a fine job using satire to critique young people and their use of technology.
For instance, the sequence makes reference to Orwell's 1984, a dystopian novel about a surveillance state. Impressive. Especially for Cartman. But then he acknowledges that he too hasn't read the book, ironically undercutting his concerns. Rather, he saw a puppet show version (a sly reference to South Park's aesthetics). Two laughs for the price of one!
In short, Ben, you've met some of the basic requirements for this assignment: locating and using academic literature, and applying these insights to a cultural object, to use Kidd's terminology. All good.
But your formatting is wrong, indicating lack of quality control on your part and the part of your team. Fortunately, this kind of "fix" is easy to make.
Be certain to pay closer attention to directions and detail. And continue to explore the value and significance of political satire.
26/30 pts.
Ben,
ReplyDeleteI found your take on political satire in the media quite intruiging. Especially as it compares to another article from one of our colleagues who spoke on how political satire hurts young people when it comes to major political issues. I think both articles work well together, while you talk about how it opens up the conversation to young people, the other article argues that it is these same jokes that causes them to take politics less serious. I believe both arguments are valid. Since youths don't watch the news for the most part it's necessary to incorparate these discussions into what does capture their attention. But a the same time it might also be important for these shows to have serious segments that analyze the impact of the joke topic.