Yes, I Can Say That

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Judy Gold presents a concise, humorous, and thoughtful examination of the current threats to comedy, emphasizing how these challenges undermine free speech and the integrity of the art form. Comedians, from Mae West to Kevin Hart, have historically faced backlash for tackling provocative subjects that challenge societal norms. In today's social media landscape, they risk being silenced, facing shaming, threats, and career damage from vocal, censorious online mobs. A new danger has emerged from the left, with identity politics and concepts like "safetyism" creating standards that verge on censorship. Comics are increasingly censured for past jokes and traditional comedic practices, with old material going viral instead of being forgotten. Gold argues that today's attacks would have icons like Richard Pryor and Lenny Bruce "rolling in their graves." She asserts that no one should dictate what comedians can joke about, paralleling it with artistic freedom. For Gold, humor is essential for discussing taboo topics, and a comic's role is to entertain, provoke, and foster dialogue. She highlights the importance of free speech for democracy, offering a historical overview of comedy's evolution and its current threats. With chapters like "Thank God Don Rickles is Dead," Gold combines humor with a critical call to protect free speech, underscoring its significance as a fundamental Constitutional right.