The humorous construction of disability: ‘stand‐up’ comedians in the United States¹

Laughing Back: A Phenomenological Study of Disability Humor Using Culturally Responsive Methodologies

“…Insider humor helps nondisabled people learn about disability oppression in a non-threatening way, by making disabled people more relatable through the use of shared experiences (Shain, 2013). Disabled comedians confront the fear that nondisabled people have about disability by eliciting laughter from the audience, even in uncomfortable situations (Reid, Stoughton and Smith, 2006). Disabled comedians challenge normative views of disability as tragedy by making jokes about their lives (Lockyer, 2015).…”

“…Historically, comedy has relied on stereotypical images of disabled people. Disability humor is any humor that centers around disability, whether it is used by disabled or nondisabled people, while disabling humor is humor that denigrates and ridicules (Reid, Stoughton and Smith, 2006). Joy and enthusiasm can act as a catalyst to ensure a radical human rights movement, which critiques a stable liberal order.…”

“…Humor may be ideal for this endeavor (Simmons, 2019). It offers disabled comedians a venue to challenge and critique mainstream society's perspective on disability and provides a more nuanced view of living with a disability (Lockyer, 2015;Reid et al, 2006). Comedy can promote social inclusion of disabled people and a conversation about the social construction of disability (Shain, 2013).…”

“…Comedy can promote social inclusion of disabled people and a conversation about the social construction of disability (Shain, 2013). The disability arts movement also gives disabled people a space to share common experiences, which were previously understood as individualistic (Lockyer, 2015;Reid et al, 2006;Smith and Sapon-Shevin, 2009).…”

“…Although most disabled comedians view their work as primarily entertaining, they recognize that comedy can inform audience members about the disability experience and potentially change public policy (Lockyer, 2015;Reid et al, 2006). Disabled comedians also use comedy to cope with life experiences (Reid et al, 2006).…”