A Comedian and an Activist Walk into a Bar – The Serious Role of Comedy in Social Justice: Communication for Social Justice Activism

"If there is another book about how comedy can change the world, I haven't found it. A Comedian and An Activist Walk into a Bar goes beyond the punchline--Caty Borum Chattoo, Lauren Feldman and their subjects explain how comedy can be leveraged for more than just singular laughter; it can be a means to the end of creating social change on our most pressing social justice problems. And if comedy can't help us now, we're totally screwed. That's what makes this book a must read." --Erika Soto Lamb, Vice President, Social Impact Strategy, Comedy Central

"A Comedian and An Activist Walk into a Bar is not simply a setup looking for a punchline. It is a profound book, full of mirth and insight, about the increasingly central roles that comedy is playing in efforts to transform the world. What was once unthinkable (don't make me laugh!) is now seemingly everywhere, and these authors understand where the poop jokes are and also why those jokes work to change our awareness, beliefs, and actions."--Henry Jenkins, Coeditor of Popular Culture and the Civic Imagination: Case Studies of Creative Social Change

"This book works from a simple premise--that comedy can bring people together. Borum Chattoo and Feldman demonstrate how comedy has become a fresh and powerful means for addressing some of our most intransigent and pressing problems. In turn, traditional conceptions of "activism" as an ideological or partisan pursuit are also transformed. What better way for democracy to flourish than through political engagement that is driven by the commonality that laughter provides?"--Jeffrey Jones, Executive Director of the Peabody Awards and author of Entertaining Politics