One of the most powerful weapons in our arsenal against the evils plaguing our society is comedy. In the right hands, a comedian holds up a mirror that forces the audience to take a deep, personal look at themselves and confront uncomfortable truths, all while making this jagged little pill go down easier through laughter.
That is precisely why the radical left wants to seize this weapon and turn it against anyone who shows even a modicum of common sense. Just as they wage war on the Second Amendment, the left has been chiseling away at the power of comedy by crafting an ever-growing list of things we are not allowed to say or joke about. Sadly, many so-called funnymen and women have gone along with the charade to ensure they do not get “canceled.”
Thankfully, a few stalwarts still refuse to bow the knee to political correctness. British comedian Ricky Gervais stands among them. Gervais, who created the original version of The Office, refuses to apologize for his jokes, even when they offend the delicate little hearts of the radical left. He gives no quarter. Anyone—of any group, religion, race, or status—can become a target.
Right now, Gervais is proving himself one of the strongest defenders of free speech in our society as he continues to stand against the transgender mob and push back against the criticism critics hurl at him over his jokes about transgender people. The comedian recently sat down for an interview with the BBC, where host John Wilson asked why he has not “changed in parallel with the times” and why he continues cracking jokes about obese people, the disabled, and transgender individuals.
“You’ve kind of doubled down on those issues. It’s become more important to you,” Wilson said. Gervais’s response was brilliantly delivered and showcased the exact attitude we need when the radical left tries to strip us of our right to free speech and open expression.
“That’s probably true, but that’s because I think I’m right,” Gervais replied.
As conservatives—especially Christians—we need to stop cowering in fear when the time comes to stand against the darkness and confusion gripping society. Timidity signals a lack of confidence in what you believe. We know our values and principles surpass what the left offers. We are right. Christ is King. Because we stand fully convinced of our beliefs, we must refuse to let the left silence us, no matter what threats they level for speaking out.
“I have a right to talk about those things,” Gervais added. “And there are jokes I certainly stand by. I can’t look back and say, ‘Oh, sorry about that, I said that when I was only 50.’”
“As you do get more progressive, maybe, and milder and change, what usually happens is the things you used to do look worse,” he told Wilson. “What I do is I try and get more offensive, so when I look back, I go, ‘Aw, wasn’t I kind when I was 45?’” He laughed and clarified, “That was a joke.”
Gervais made it clear that he has no intention of censoring his past work or apologizing for what many label “hateful” rhetoric, particularly within the LGBT community. He said the furthest concession he would make would involve allowing trigger warnings on his work. Once again, he refused to censor himself.
And he shouldn’t. Truth is a double-edged sword. It cuts deep, but it also heals deeper wounds. Our culture now suffers from apathy tumors slowly draining the soul from society. Serious issues demand attention, yet many people remain too distracted by trivialities to confront the major problems unfolding around them.
Comedy acts like a sledgehammer that smacks an audience in the face with reality and jolts them out of complacency. Sometimes, offense serves a purpose. Gervais and many other comedians understand this and wield comedy with that exact intent.
LGBTQ activists have raked Gervais over the coals for his 2022 Netflix special Super Nature, in which he dismantled cancel culture before turning his sharp-edged humor toward transgender ideology. In one segment, Gervais joked about “old-fashioned women,” saying, “They’re the ones with wombs.”
He then mocked “new women,” calling them “the ones with beards and c*s.” At another point, he said, “I support all human rights, and trans rights are human rights. Live your best life. Use your preferred pronoun. But meet me halfway, ladies. Lose the ck. That’s all I’m saying.”
Speech—especially humor—helps humanity confront critical issues and win hearts and minds to a worldview. That is why we must fight for the right to joke about anyone, at any time, for any reason.
