Humor is often used to lighten the mood, but it is also a practice of thought. In a world where political and social issues are increasingly fraught, humor carries the weight of not just entertainment but also responsibility. It can serve as a means to question injustices by mirroring the absurdity of them. It can even bridge pressing issues to a wider audience.
Political satire, for one, presents this case. During the Spanish colonization, La Solidaridad and Jose Rizal’s works employed comedy as a weapon for justice. Through exaggerated descriptions, imagery, and wordplay, they called out colonial oppression and united Filipinos.
Yet, we have to remember that these jokes are still about heavy, real issues that impact people’s lives. While humor, especially political satire, can help us process these topics, it can be just as easy to trivialize them. As the country’s politics becomes more polarized, the public loosens its understanding of humor as an ignition for discourse.
Social media has supercharged humor, turning memes, GIFs, and viral content into another form of commentary. Whether it’s the infamous breakup of the Marcos-Duterte partnership or the public crucifixion of celebrities’ personal lives, poking fun at the news has been the norm for Filipinos.
But sometimes, humor fails to consider the emotional weight of its subjects. Instead of fostering meaningful discussions, some of the jokes can lead us to disregard the severity of the issue, lose empathy and consideration, or create further divisions. It’s one thing to use comedy to cope with news and challenge those in power. However, it’s another thing entirely to reduce the struggles of ordinary people to a fodder for mockery.
We need to know when to draw the line. To accomplish this, practicing critical thought is key. Biases can cloud our judgment if we are not aware of them. It becomes especially easy to ridicule others when their beliefs contradict our own, just as it is to take offense when confronted with opposing views. We need to be willing to step back and ponder if the jokes serve a greater purpose or if they are simply an outlet for frustration.
We also need to recognize that not everyone will get the punchline because it can be culture-specific. What may seem funny to one person can be deeply offensive to another. While the intention behind the joke is usually positive, the execution may not always nail the mark. That’s why effective communication must be two-way. It’s not only about making the joke but also understanding how it will be perceived.
As we navigate the complexities of modern discourse, it is important to remember that humor provides more than just mirth. It can be a vehicle to bring critical topics to light, a welcoming door to talk about what matters most. However, when it is reduced to mere snarky remarks, it risks crossing into the territory of offensive jokes, missing the point entirely.
Humor has been proven to be invaluable in exposing truths in a way that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. It can be a force for good, but only when it is presented responsibly and with practical purpose. Likewise, it needs to be interpreted critically. While we get caught up in the gags and absurdities of it all, let us not forget to use our discernment to avoid sliding into the realm of mindless mockery. Because when that happens, we stop laughing at the absurdity of the world and instead start laughing at each other.
This article was published in The LaSallian‘s Spoof 2025 issue. To read more, visit bit.ly/TLSSpoof2025.
