After a tiring work day, it’s always best to unwind with a funny video or two…or five. It’s cliché to say but laughter really is the best medicine. Especially when you find comedians who can joke about important issues in feminism, politics, and so on.
You may be thinking: “Why should I still subject myself in topics like these when they’re already stressful?” That’s the point. These comedians make us forget about life’s stresses for a bit and still make us think with their sharp wit.
From late-night spiels to stand-up shows, here are the funny men and women you should tune in to when you need to lighten up.
Ali Wong
I recently discovered Ali Wong when a short Facebook video highlighted her Netflix special Ali Wong: Baby Cobra. Here, she openly talks about sexuality and the funny downsides of feminism. You’d think she’s attacking women, but she’s also voicing out our deepest thoughts like choosing to rest or being a housewife instead of joining the workforce. She even takes a light jab at her husband, saying that she was the one who’s in control so she could absorb his privilege.
Trevor Noah
You may know Trevor Noah as the host who succeeded Jon Stewart in The Daily Show. He often talks about a wide range of topics from Trump’s racism and misogyny to his experiences while growing up in South Africa. If you want a regular dose of his humor, you can check The Daily Show‘s YouTube channel or simply look up his stand-up comedy gigs.
Emily Heller
There’s something raw about comedians who deliver dry humor. Emily Heller makes honest and sarcastic humor about issues of feminism, parenthood, and politics. She’s also has occasional stand-up gigs on CONAN and you can look them up on Team Coco’s YouTube channel.
Daniel Fernandes
Daniel Fernandes’ most popular stand-up show was him talking about rape threats. He emphasized how when women stand up for something, they are showered with rape threats from men. The whole spiel can be summed up with this line: “A woman with an opinion is very dangerous because most often than not she makes sense. And men can’t handle sense in a conversation.”
Jena Friedman
Last October, Jena Friedman premiered her one-woman comedy show American C**nt which highlighted her dark feminist humor. One segment which she called “Abortion Portion” is a brave take on the controversial topic. She suggests alternative names like “death penalty” and “early retirement” for states that haven’t legalized it. She also brings up the time people wished that she was aborted, but though of a positive response for this. “At least they’re coming around!”
Sasheer Zamata
Saturday Night Live comedian Sasheer Zamata’s brand of comedy includes mundane topics like dating, as well as racism. In the video, she talks about the micro-racism she experienced while she was dating a white man. It’s these types of stories that make us more aware of the bigger issues.
Art by Yayie Motos
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