Long Live Laughter
Freedom’s Soul Food
Reading the newspaper was a daily family event in my home in the 1950’s. Weekdays, the morning viewing was a sprint event. After cracking open his soft-boiled egg and taking a sip of coffee, Jack did aspirational reading (the financial section). My sisters and I squabbled over who was owed the last pancake on the platter and ownership of favorite sheets in the “funnies” section. After her husband and children thundered out the front door, to work and school destinations. Jane lit a cigarette and fed her fantastic intellect with glances at various sections as she reassembled the paper into a decent order for evening distribution and perusal.
Only later did my artistic eye and rebellious attitude become entranced by, and addicted to, political cartoons. They are my lifeline to sanity these days.
Amid the frantic efforts to identify, defend, and safeguard every remaining custom and law which might possibly corral Trump’s historic demolition derby on Day One—do not forsake or forget the person and the product of political cartoonists.
Do not let laughter die.
Fund umbrella organizations like Cartoon Movement. Here is their Project Overview Statement.
“Editorial cartoonists have the ability to condense complex issues into a single image. An image that makes you think about the world around you. We work with international media, but also with universities, museums, NGOs and international bodies like the United Nations to produce cartoons on a range of issues, from climate change to human rights”
The capitulation of the free press and large social media platforms to Trump and his Project 2025 suppressions conceivably could send the political cartoon into places and spaces not approved by the Trump administration. Find the courage to follow these journalists wherever they find need and reason to flee.
I submit that Jeff Bezos will not be the last or worst member of the Billionaire Boys Club to use his power to silence laughter protected under provisions of First Amendment.
Heads up.
Wallets out.
Do not just survive Project 2025.
Actively resist.
Ultimately prevail.
Laughter diffuses terror. Thank GOD for the visionary comic relief!!
Yes! Pictures are still worth more than a thousand words and the brain loves visual more than auditory. (Don't tell me... show me.) Newspaper circulation increased steadily between 1940 and 1980. The internet and email as popularized for public use stepped into history in 1990's and that shifted information sources and how we consume. The opportunity for cartoons increased with new media and opportunities for laughter increased.