
in a recent interview with Sojourner magazine Jon Stewart, the host of Comedy Central's The Daily Show spent some time speaking about their particular brand of satire. Interviewer Jim Wallis asked Stewart if he saw the show as a instigator of social change or activism, and Stewarts response got my wheels turning a little. Below is a brief piece of what he had to say, for the entire article click here.
Jon Stewart: It may be true that the Hebrew prophets used humor in that regard, to create social change, but it was also used by Borscht Belt social directors. We’ve got a lot more in common with them than the prophets. Everyone here has a lot of respect for activists and an appreciation for what it takes to be an activist. For most of us, writing jokes, playing a little Guitar Hero in the afternoon, and calling it a day seems to be the way to go. Because we’re in the public eye, maybe people project onto us their desires for that type of activism coming from us, but just knowing the process here as I do, our show is maybe the antithesis of activism, and that is a relatively selfish pursuit. The targets we choose, the way we go about it—it’s got more of a personal venting aspect than a socially conscious aspect.
so the thought process for me goes something like this: is that what i do when i complain about the current state of affairs, but do little more than complain? am i also motivated by "selfish pursuit?"
let me clarify here, i am not bashing Jon Stewart, in fact i think the Daily Show is pretty clever, and i find myself laughing at bits over and over again (who can forget the tatted out Cheney.... classic)
but i am a guy who spends most of his life telling and teaching other people how to live a life of faith, to be generous, to take an active role in pursuing justice, to be hospitable, and so on. and it makes me wonder, how much time to i spend practicing what i teach? is my casual respect of "activist" followers of Jesus good for anyone? do radical followers of Jesus want a fan club, or do they want people to join them in their efforts? there seems to be a pretty substantial difference.
it is hard to not end this post with a cliched statement about walking the talk or some other tired line, but that is exactly the point. so i will go in a different direction, one that no other blogger or author has ever done, ever (i hope you are feeling the sarcasm here) and close with some song lyrics, and like all good quote thieves i will take this chorus of a Toby Keith song way out of context:
A little less talk
If you please
A lot more loving
Is what I need
Lets get on down
To the main attraction
With a little less talk
And a lot more action




