Posted on 02/22/2021 9:48:59 AM PST by nickcarraway
A Supreme Court case focused on a comedy routine mocking a disabled teenager could help shape the limits of free speech — and humor — in Canada.
About a decade ago, the comedian Mike Ward, of Quebec, mocked the voice of a well-known disabled teenage singer in a standup routine, roasting him for being off-key, making fun of his hearing aid and calling him “ugly.” But he said he had defended the boy to others because he would soon die. When the teen didn’t die of his illness, the comedian joked, he tried to drown him.
This past week, the question of whether a comedian has the constitutional right to offend came under a national spotlight at Canada’s Supreme Court after Mr. Ward appealed a decision that the comedy routine discriminated against the singer, Jérémy Gabriel.
The case, which has grabbed headlines, is a rare example of a comedy routine becoming the subject of the highest court in the land, and In Canada, which prides itself on its humanism, Mr. Ward’s case has been particularly polarizing.
On the one side are civil libertarians and artists who argue that offensive jokes, however egregious, are protected under the Canadian constitution’s freedom of expression provision. The Supreme Court policing comedy, they say, risks having a chilling effect on artistic expression across Canada.
Carissima Mathen, a professor of law and constitutional legal expert at the University of Ottawa, said that a ruling against Mr. Ward could potentially open the door to people in other provinces bringing legal cases against comedians that target them.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
A friend of mine has been a stand up for 30 years. Hasn’t done a college in 10 because they’ve lost their sense of humor. He now does it part time and can pick and choose the venue. Now is a full time mortgage lender. Comedy is dead.
Not sure about Canada, but I’ve read the US Constitution and nowhere does it enshrine the right to not be offended. In fact the 1st amendment pretty much guarantees you will be offended.
“Well known disabled singer”
Never heard of him.
Looked him up.
Appears to be doing pretty well.
If you are going to get up on the stage you have to be prepared for applause or rotten tomatoes.
> I’ve read the US Constitution and nowhere does it enshrine the right to not be offended. In fact the 1st amendment pretty much guarantees you will be offended. <
Well said! Unfortunately “liberals” (fascists actually) are trying to carve out “hate speech” exceptions to the 1A. Will they win out at the end? I think so.
I believe they will find the right to not be offended in much the same way they found the “right to privacy” to protect abortion. With no consideration of the rapid pace at which Americans have ceded their “right privacy” to Big Tech and government.
“I’ve read the US Constitution and nowhere does it enshrine the right to not be offended. In fact the 1st amendment pretty much guarantees you will be offended.”
The fact that you believe that words have meanings shows typical white paternalistic belief patterns. Next you’ll be saying that math problems can have ‘wrong’ answers. You are clearly not prepared to live in our Brave New World.
/s
snicker snicker snicker...sarc was on I hope ;)
nevermind...I just saw the
/s
lol sorry.
You left out "prison".
They’re going to throw that singer into prison?
If he refuses to pay the $42,000 in damages, they might.
There is no right to free expression if there is no right to offend. Who needs an enumerated right to free speech if only acceptable speech is allowed?
I thought the comedian is in trouble.
I don't know your definition, but if I were fined $42,000, I would consider myself "in trouble".
Let’s all sing along with Jeremy!
Ina gadda davida baby!
I like Jeremy’s version better.
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