Foul-Mouthed Clowns
I’m Dan Piraro, the creator of the Bizarro newspaper comic, and this is my weekly blog post. The large Sunday Bizarro comic above is mine, as are the comments below. The past week’s Monday-Saturday Bizarro comics that follow were written and drawn by my partner Wayno, whose weekly blog post I highly recommend.
And here’s this week’s ANSWER KEY to my Sunday comic’s Secret Symbols.
Hey, Jazz Pickles, thanks for stopping by.
I’ve posted a new episode of my graphic novel, Peyote Cowboy, and reader response has been very positive. This one included a few plot twists that built tension. (Yes, that’s me playing the role of the dead guy. I consider it a practice run.)
In this episode is an explanation of one of the patriarchal laws about women in the town in which the story takes place. It’s a reflection of our own species’ history of abusing, oppressing, and dismissing women, an issue that many people are becoming increasingly more aware of lately.
Coincidentally (if there are such things), today’s cartoon about Fōpäh the Clown was submitted weeks ago, but is also about society’s systemic disrespect and diminishment of women.
How many famous female scientists or artists can you name? How about famous female politicians or historical figures of any kind? I guarantee there are many more that most of us have never heard of. And the list of women’s contributions to humanity isn’t short because women were incapable of contributing; it’s because they have not been allowed to, and when they have, men have often been given the credit for their accomplishments.
Patriarchy is a disease born of selfishness and fear, and of the same dangerous pathogen as white nationalism, or Christian nationalism. Exclusion is a tool of cowards and the insecure.
A thinking person will quickly realize that a peaceful, just, successful society is one based on diversity, equity, and inclusion. A “woke” society is one in which everyone is respected and allowed to participate equally. Like a braided wire versus a single strand, such a society is exponentially stronger.
A diverse and inclusive society experiences less crime because fewer people are deprived of opportunity and meaning. It is also a society that does not allow a few privileged people to have all of the money and power, which is why certain folks have such disdain for diversity, equity, and inclusion, now popularly known as “DEI.”
Be suspicious of anyone who denigrates this principle. At best, they don’t understand its value. At worst, they intend to take advantage of others in such a system. And they’ll be the first to proclaim this step backwards will make things “great” again. Great for them, at the exclusion of everyone else.
My cartoon above and the title of this post refer to anyone who intentionally insults or attacks those with less power or privilege. I make it a habit not to befriend (or vote for) anyone who punches down.
Such foul-mouthed clowns are responsible for the cruel circus of incompetence our country has devolved into of late.
Now it’s time to check in with one of my favorite reasonable, compassionate clowns, my able partner, Wayno, as we enjoy his Bizarro comics from the week.
This is the second week of Wayno’s two-week series of AI’s not-quite-right band or performer names. These gags are all his, but we both got a huge kick out of them. Judging by the comments, most readers have enjoyed them, too. One asked if there would be a book of them. We don’t currently have enough for a book, but who knows what the future will bring?
A few readers didn’t get them or simply hated them. One guy was particularly shitty to me in an email, so I asked him, “If you met me at a party and found out I did Bizarro, would you have said this to my face? If not, saying it via email is cowardly. If so, you’re just a dick.”
We hope you’re having as much fun with these as Wayno and I have.
I love the way Jimi Hendrix dressed and have had to restrain myself for decades from dressing the same way. I particularly like this one because the first album I ever bought was Jimi Hendrix Experience’s “Smash Hits” in 1969. I was eleven.
This is one of my two favorite jokes from this week. I chuckle every time I say it. I still love their classic “Midnight Train to Georgia,” especially the Pips’ backing vocals: “I know you will…” and “Hoo, hoo!” always make me smile.
I can’t help but wonder if the meat is kosher.
The drum head is a nice touch on this one.
This is my other favorite joke this week. “Pupas” makes me laugh every time.
By the way, several biologists have politely informed us that this is a drawing of the larval stage, not the pupa. We are sorry and promise not to make that mistake again. Thanks for the corrections, Jazz Pickles! Our office doors are always open.
Thus concludes this week’s consciousness comedy convention. Thanks for bringing your brains, Jazz Pickles. If you’re enjoying our ad-free content, please consider helping us keep it that we via one or more of the links below. We’ll like you forever.
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