Some amazingly smart writer wrote an amazingly smart essay about Stephen Colbert, his testimony in Congress and a character on his show, Ching Chong Ding Dong. Here’s a clip!
Migrant workers (and de facto, often immigrants) are so often little more than causes–even in progressive circles. In the best case scenario, we are an “issue” to be rallied around, in the worst case, a “problem” that needs to be fixed through compromise with radical right politicians that have consistently exhibited hateful actions/votes against migrant workers and immigrant populations.
In this more serious passage, Colbert is operating from a pure place, a place of compassion and interconnectedness. He is saying, in the public sphere, migrant workers are human beings with bodies that are doing ungodly work and have little power to change the conditions they work under. He is saying that there is a moral and ethical obligation for those who have power to help how they can.
An unprecedented message in such a mainstream sphere.
I am taking the time to tell you about what Stephen Colbert means to me because I actually want to critique him. I want to talk about Colbert’s character, Ching Chong Ding Dong.
Aren’t I smart?