Looking for Resources on Humor and War and Humor and Conflict Resolution

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Permalink Reply by Craig Zelizer on February 11, 2010 at 11:54am

Thanks. There, I have seen some of the great posters from Northern Ireland and then a group I work with the Parents Circle Families Forum has recently put together a wonderful exhibit Cartooning in Conflict see http://www.theparentscircle.org/NewsMain.asp?id=384

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Permalink Reply by Sarah Brammeier McCrisken on February 8, 2010 at 8:35am

Dr. Seuss did a great deal of cartoons around World War two--a book called 'Dr. Seuss goes to War' chronicles what he did--I know that this is social commentary that he did but political cartoons also remain a very powerful way.

Of course, I imagine you have already gathered a great deal of material around the cartoonist whose work sparked protests across the world a couple of years ago--I believe he was interview on NPR--probably All things considered--in January after an attempt on his life. His perspective is a valuable one--he has no regrets for responding to the brief the newspaper gave him.

best wishes---sounds like a great topic.

Sarah

sbmcc@btintenet.com

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Permalink Reply by Craig Zelizer on February 11, 2010 at 11:54am

Thanks for the suggestions.

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Permalink Reply by Nancy Fioritto Patete on February 8, 2010 at 9:15am

Have you considered most recently in the states the Tea Party convention of independent conservatives, their touting of the sardonic Sarah Palin as a keynote, the lowbrow level of devisive humor coming out of their discourse and making it into media soundbites?

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Permalink Reply by Charles Collyer on February 8, 2010 at 12:03pm

Advocates of peace should know about the little book by FOR's Richard Deats, titled How to Keep Laughing Even Though You've Considered All the Facts (Fellowship Publications, Nyack NY, 1994).
- Charlie Collyer

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Permalink Reply by Craig Zelizer on February 11, 2010 at 11:55am

A great title...FOR Does terrific work.

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Permalink Reply by Tom Taylor on February 8, 2010 at 3:19pm

Craig

Ashley Brilliant has been one of my best sources of humor in my conflict resolution work. Here is his web site: http://www.ashleighbrilliant.com/. He does a great job of putting the uncomfortable into perspective.

Here is a piece from Emmit Fiske:

Is There a Place for Humor in ADR?

"My magic marker ain't magic no more
when I put up the easel they head for the door...

The five of us explored the nature of humor in our work as ADR professionals. The following observations were shared:

* there is an "art" to the effective use of humor; it cannot be done by formula or prescription;

* if people can connect via humor, then they're on a "fast track" to more open communication within the group;

* humor helps to break down stereotypes and barriers, and bring people closer together (so that trust has a better chance to blossom);

* humor may be a window that ADR professionals can use to explain to family, friends and colleagues just what it is that we do.

We also generated the following questions for further/future consideration:

1. How much is humor culturally driven? For example, the western style of self-deprecating humor is inappropriate for use in Asian cultures.

2. What is the motivation for, and source of, humor?

3. What gives the ADR professional permission to use humor?

We're thinking about doing a book of cartoons (from the New Yorker, Far Side, Dilbert, and Doonesbury) that "exposes" our field to others.

Any takers? For further information, please contact:

Emmett P. Fiske
Washington State University
e-mail = fiske@wsuvm1.csc.wsu.edu

I look forward to seeing the results of your work. Tom Taylor ttaylor@fsu.edu

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Permalink Reply by Craig Zelizer on February 11, 2010 at 11:56am

Thanks right now just starting some exploratory research. Hopefully will lead to some more focused research in the future. Appreciate the suggestions.

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Permalink Reply by Marek Bennett on February 8, 2010 at 11:22pm

I've been doing an 8th grade residency in a rural NH school, studying World War II through local history and comics. Here's the resource page I assembled:
http://www.marekbennett.com/comicsworkshop/programs/wwii/

While the students are creating original comics based on primary sources in the town's historical society's archives, they are not necessarily humorous, and many of our sample texts (e.g. MAUS, sci-fi & action comics from the 1940s, &c.) are not at all humorous.

Of specific interest to you might be our study of propaganda cartoons & comics, specifically the work of Bill Mauldin, Dr. Seuss, Nazi magazine cartoonists, &c. -- Links to all those can be found lower down on the resource page (above). We've looked at humor & caricature as a way to shape public perceptions of the other, and also as a way to align sympathies of the reader with a specific cause.

This of course connects with non-humorous symbolism & caricature (such as Spiegelman's mouse motif in MAUS), as well as with not-exactly-humorous-BUT-not-exactly-serious texts such as the propaganda comic book covers of the 1940s.
Hope that helps!
-- Marek

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Permalink Reply by Craig Zelizer on February 11, 2010 at 11:57am

Thanks...much appreciated

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Permalink Reply by Cynthia Petrigh on February 9, 2010 at 6:05am

Hi, I know a lot of jokes from the Hizbollah/Israel 2006 war. Also, there's an amazing Lebanese artist Mazen Kerbaj who drew funny cartoons every day and also played a concert on his balcony called: "a minimalistic improvisation by: mazen kerbaj / trumpet, the israeli air force / bombs".
Many of his jokes and drawings were reproduced in a book and also he has a website and a blog. http://kerbaj.com/
There are many good jokes in Iran too, am sure you can find some on Iranian blogs and websites from LA.
An Arab joke: an Israeli arrives in Heathrow. The immigration officer asks him: "occupation?"
- "no, tourism" he replies.

If we go back in earlier times in the Middle East/Ottoman empire, Nasreddin Hodja is a good resource, especially for hisjokes at the times of Timour-leng.

Lastly, I was recently observing peace talks in Asia. When confronted with an obstacle, one of the diplomats read his fortune cookie message to make his point and convince one of the parties.

Do not hesitate to contact me for more info and jokes.
Good luck with your project,
Cynthia

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Permalink Reply by Craig Zelizer on February 11, 2010 at 11:58am

Thanks, appreciate the suggestions. The fortune cookie one is particularly intriguing.

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