Stuff You Missed in History Class: Episode Summary Episode Title: Behind the Scenes Minis: Questionable Jokes and Turkey
Hosts: Holly Frey & Tracy V. Wilson
Release Date: November 22, 2024

Introduction

In the episode titled "Behind the Scenes Minis: Questionable Jokes and Turkey," hosts Holly Frey and Tracy V. Wilson delve into the intricate and often uncomfortable aspects of historical humor and Thanksgiving traditions. They explore the lives and legacies of historical figures, the evolution of comedic norms, and the complexities surrounding the celebration of Thanksgiving in the United States.

Unpacking Historical Biographies and Racism

The conversation begins with a discussion about Don C. Sites, the biographer of Artemus Ward, a 19th-century humorist. Holly raises a critical point about Sites' biography:

"The introduction has a lot of gross racist stuff in it. [...] the writer's gross racist stuff is worse than Ward's gross racist stuff." ([03:15])

This sets the stage for a candid exploration of how historical figures and their biographers can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and racist ideologies. Holly emphasizes the discomfort in reading such material:

"It's not cool. It is worth reading for the understanding of the situation. But obviously with the lip on it that, you know, it is gross and it sometimes, I mean, I felt it was a stomach journey." ([04:20])

The Evolution of Humor: Offensive Jokes Then and Now

Tracy draws parallels between historical comedic styles and more recent trends:

"Reading about some of his humor reminded me a little bit of the era of comedy that you and I lived through... where there was kind of a vibe of it being okay to be offensive as long as you were being offensive to everyone." ([04:38])

The hosts discuss the problematic nature of "punching down" in comedy—where jokes target marginalized groups—versus "punching up," which targets those in power. Holly articulates the harm in indiscriminate offensiveness:

"Some of those people are gonna be a punch down and you are going to reinforce gross stuff. That hurts those people." ([05:41])

Tracy echoes this sentiment, noting the shift in modern comedy away from these outdated norms:

"I'm generally glad that for the most part, at least, the comedy I'm aware of has moved beyond that." ([05:24])

Artemus Ward and Charles Brown: Complex Legacies

The discussion shifts to Charles Brown, often associated with Artemus Ward, highlighting the complexity of their legacies:

"Everyone who knew him writes about how kind and gentle he was with everyone he encountered, but those are also people who also say gross racist things and may not recognize that he wasn't being kind and gentle." ([08:03])

Holly muses on the duality of Ward's character, questioning whether his offensive remarks were a means to underscore their inappropriateness:

"Is this like a reverse uno that I'm just not fully grasping? [...] He's an interesting one." ([06:15])

Thanksgiving and the Politics of Tradition

Transitioning from historical figures to contemporary traditions, the hosts examine the complexities surrounding Thanksgiving. Tracy critiques a local news article's assertion about the fixed date of Thanksgiving:

"An article stated with lots of authority that Thanksgiving is always the last Thursday in November. And I was like nah, that is not correct." ([14:44])

Holly shares her frustrations with the legislative processes involved in setting the date:

"How much legislative time was wasted on making the president proclaim it? [...] Why do we want to change?" ([15:39])

They further explore the entanglement of Thanksgiving with national identity and wartime propaganda:

"The Thanksgiving holiday has always been about like the identity of the United States as a nation... connections to wars that the nation [...] believed were being undertaken for just reasons." ([18:14])

Tracy references Godwin's Law, highlighting the timeless nature of comparing contemporary issues to historical figures like Hitler:

"Somebody coined that was about things will inevitably be compared to Hitler." ([18:14])

Reflection on Church and State Separation

Holly reflects on the myth of the separation of church and state, particularly in the context of national proclamations:

"I also marveled throughout, even though I have read some of these documents we referenced at just how much the idea of a separation of church and state was such a fib." ([20:29])

Tracy concurs, discussing how presidential proclamations often intertwine with religious references without endorsing specific denominations:

"Washington's proclamations definitely draw on the idea of God and prayer, but without specifying any particular religion or denomination." ([20:49])

Closing Thoughts and Listener Engagement

As the episode concludes, Holly and Tracy extend well wishes to listeners preparing for Thanksgiving. They encourage sharing feedback and subscribing to the podcast:

"If you want to send us a note about this or any other podcast... subscribe to the show on the iHeartRadio app." ([21:24])

Conclusion

"Behind the Scenes Minis: Questionable Jokes and Turkey" offers a thoughtful examination of how historical humor and Thanksgiving traditions reflect broader societal values and conflicts. Holly Frey and Tracy V. Wilson adeptly navigate the sensitive topics of racism in historical narratives and the politicization of national holidays, providing listeners with a nuanced understanding of these enduring issues.

Notable Quotes:

• "The introduction has a lot of gross racist stuff in it." – Holly Frey ([03:15])
• "Some of those people are gonna be a punch down and you are going to reinforce gross stuff." – Holly Frey ([05:41])
• "Thanksgiving holiday has always been about like the identity of the United States as a nation." – Tracy V. Wilson ([18:14])

For more insightful discussions and historical explorations, subscribe to "Stuff You Missed in History Class" on the iHeartRadio app or your preferred podcast platform.