Lilly Singh is a YouTube user who
uses humor to poke fun of racist and sexist commentators. I think this provides
an alternative form of media, because even though YouTube has become a
mainstream form of communication, it allows for independent communication of
individuals, thought their comments on issues. This becomes apparent in
“controversial” issues like the crowning of Nina Davuluri as Miss America.
Lilly Singh, A.K.A IISuperwomanII, tries
to make people aware of some of the ridiculous prejudices people openly display
in their comments. A clear comparison between IISuperwomanII and Catherine
Saalfield can be made.
Both
Catherine Saalfield and IISuperwomanII understand that to reach a large number
of individuals it is best done through media recordings. In “Art and Activism”,
it is stated that the students who made media pieces for BENT TV used “Short
pieces, and humor- sometimes ironic-to help get their messages across” (p.67).
IISuperwomanII uses these same techniques to raise an issue and make the racism
or sexism more apparent. An example is her video titled “A Message About Miss
America” which made fun of the comments
that Nina Davuluri received after becoming Miss America. By
making that video IISuperwomanII
combated what Bell Hooks stated about films making viewers “seduced, at least
for a time, by the images we see on screen. They have power over us and we have
no power over them” (p.3). By producing a video that showed that Nina Davuluri,
who is phenotypically Indian, is still as much an American as any white guy.
“A
Message About Miss America”By
IISuperwomanII
IISuperwomanII
also provides a feminine voice to issues that late nigh show hosts, most of
which are white males, debate about all the time. Even when it comes to the
issue of Miss America, white late night comedians addressed the issue but fail
to view it as a racist gesture. In that sense, IISuperwomanII provides a “separate
female way of thinking, and a recognition that women’s experience has been
effectively silenced by a masculine culture” (p.95) as expressed on “Author/Auteur:
Feminist Literary Theory and Feminist Film”.
The method of dispersing her
videos is through YouTube, which is an inexpensive way. IISuperwomanII
is an entertainer, making her videos engaging to the public as she bring humor
and truth to issues commonly faced by people. Viewers can relate to the issues
she raised and understand why her comments are relative to the real issues at
hand. This alternative form of media allows for diverse views to be express to
a large audience, where if YouTube were unavailable it would be impossible for
IISuperwomanII to combat late night show hosts. While the show hosts have the
support of mainstream media, equipment and funding, IISuperwomanII is lacking
in all of these categories. This issue is addressed by Debra Zimmerman article “Women
Make Movies” in which funding is a major concern. Stating that “Government
funding cutbacks are a concern for Women make Movies, both because it means
fewer projects by independent women filmmakers will be funded and because Women
Make Movies itself, which is partially funded by government grants, may lose
crucial funding for its workshops” (p.262).
Overall I think comedians
have perfecting the art of using humor to combat prejudice and bring the truth
to people. Mostly their method of bring forth controversial information is in a
subtle way and by entertaining the audience they are able to get to the core
issues. Gabrial Iglesias does that through his work and stories of real
experiences. In his new show “Aloha Fluffy” he breaks the stereotypes that the
media has developed in racial profiling. He himself recognizes that he is a
Hispanic comedian and only when he goes out of the United States is he considered
an “American”. His shows are hilarious but they dig at a greater truth.
“Aloha Fluffy” by Gabriel Iglesias
Bibliography:
"Author/Autor:
Feminist Literary Theory and Feminist Film" by Maggie Humm
"Making Movie Magic" from Reel to Real by bell hooks
"Women Make
Movies" Debra Zimmerman
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