A Humorous Take On A Serious Topic – American Indian History

Thought Sparks

A Humorous Take On A Serious Topic –

American Indian History

Humor is uniquely human. It builds bonds, defuses tension, boosts innovation, and bolsters resilience.

In a bold manifestation of the power of humor, McCarter Theater’s production of “Between Two Knees” offers stories from Native American Indian history that helps us to lean in, not look away.

Why humor is a superpower you shouldn’t ignore

Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas wrote a wonderful, well-researched book called Humor, Seriously: Why Humor is a Secret Weapon in Business and in Life in 2021, and boy we needed it then! We still need it now! You can watch their TED talk about the book (it earned major accolades!) here. You can also drop in on our Fireside Chat at this link.

What Jennifer and Naomi found in their research is that humor helps leaders motivate and inspire people. It shortens the path to connection. People are willing to bond more with people when they find humor together. It leads people to look at the world in a different way.

Derek Garza, Shaun Taylor-Corbett and Shyla Lefner in BETWEEN TWO KNEES by the 1491’s, directed by Eric Ting – McCarter Theater Jan 31-Feb 12 2023. Photo © T. Charles Erickson

Who in their right minds would write a comedy, with music, about genocide?

Apparently, the 1491s. Let me lay out the premise here – an Indian written, Indian produced and mostly Indian cast play is going to lay out the often-grisly history of Native Americans to mostly White audiences and hopes to make it appeal? How does that idea get past the instant-rejection machine?

Which brings me to Princeton’s McCarter Theater production of “Between Two Knees”

Comedy as social critique

The play is an excellent example of how comedy has been used throughout history to speak essential truths even when powerful interests would rather not hear them. We can all agree on the value of a good laugh. As Jennifer and Naomi point out in their TED talk, laughing causes our brains to release a cocktail of hormones. There are endorphins, the magic of the “runner’s high.” Then there’s dopamine, associated with all kinds of pleasures including sex. And it reduces cortisol, making you feel calmer. In short, as they point out, it’s like exercising, meditating and having sex, all at the same time!

Comedy as resistance: To quote from the program for “Between Two Knees”

“Good comedy is inherently dangerous. It is challenging; it will cause discomfort or offense to make its point. What we are reclaiming here is the idea of comedy as resistance. When we look at Aristophanes’ Lysistrata or Moliere’s Tartuffe or jump into the movies, like Mel Brooks and Richard Pryor’s Blazing Saddles, we can see how comedy has been used to skewer warmongers or religious hypocrites or racism or so many other things worthy of skewering.

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