Happy Labor Day!

 

 

Originally from Labor Day 2011, with new additions below the jump.

While there are many reasons that this labor day might not be the happiest, there are crucial ways in which humor might be valuable in addressing social problems.  As Brenda Frink examines in her article on humor and feminism, humor can illuminate social inequalities and satirize problems through inversion and impersonation.   M. Thomas Inge’s piece provides a great primer on the history of political humor.

See also:

This on the pitfalls of activist humor, by Bonnie Applebeet.

This on the leftist satire of A. Redfield.

This and this on cartoons of Occupy Wall Street.

Related links:

• What makes people laugh in hard times?
• Does current satire debase our national conversation?
• Counter-argument: Jon Stewart on “World Class of Warfare“
• September 11th and Humor
• Michele Bachmann’s sense of humor?
• Important announcement: David Sedaris–not running for president…
• Molly Ivins on Rick Perry (who is running, unfortunately; update: done)
• A collection of labor songs from Phil Nel’s blog, “Nine Kinds of Pi”
• The Onion on Dick Cheney’s new memoir; Dick Cheney as a comedian
• My favorite muppets discuss politics

CAPTION THIS CONTEST: Place your caption in comments.

Finally, a Happy Birthday to Loudon Wainwright III (whose birthday landed on Labor Day in 2011)…with a fitting song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPIRzu14viA

And a new comic for those of you entering the workforce: