Many times in the past, when American media failed to give an unbiased report of unbelievably sad events in the country, Jon Stewart and "The Daily Show" were able to put things in perspective for their viewers.
Through satire and humour, Stewart did more to inform the public after the Ferguson shooting, on gun control, and many other issues, than the mainstream national media. After the devastating Charleston church shooting, which resulted in the death of nine African-Americans, Stewart did the same --educated his viewers on racial disparity that is apparent in the country.
Stewart began Thursday, 18 June's monologue by apologising to his viewers because he did not have any jokes or funny noises for them, because of what happened in South Carolina. "May be, if I wasn't nearing the end of the run, or this wasn't such a common occurrence, maybe I could have pulled out of the spiral, but I didn't. And so, I honestly have nothing other than just sadness".
He goes on to add that Americans collectively refuse to accept the gaping racial discrimination that is apparent in the society, but that even if they did they would do "jacksh*t" about it. "What blows my mind is the disparity in response between.. when we think people that are foreign are going to kill us, and us killing ourselves".
Stewart points out that the US has invaded two countries, spent millions of dollars and sacrificed thousands of American lives, and currently flies "unmanned death machines" over some countries, all to ensure that Americans are safe. "We'll torture people... We gotta do everything we can to keep Americans safe".
But when someone points out that nine people were shot to death in a church, the response is nothing more than, "crazy is as crazy does". Stewart foresees that the mainstream media will try to portray the shootings as a "tragedy" and not a vicious terrorist attack against the Black community.
"This wasn't a tornado," "The Daily Show" host goes on to explain. "This was a guy, with a Rhodesia badge on his sweater... you know..the idea that.. you know.. I hate to even use this pun.. but this one, is 'black and white'... there is no nuance here". He further speaks of how a majority of the nation is already trying to make it look like one crazy man's actions, that had nothing to with race, whereas it clearly is a racial attack.
"In South Carolina, the roads that Black people drive on are named for Confederate Generals, who fought to keep Black people from being able to drive freely on that road. That's insanity," Stewart exclaimed. "Nine people were shot dead in a Black church by a White guy who hated them, who wanted to start some kind of civil war.. The Confederate flag flies over South Carolina. And the roads are named for Confederate Generals. And the white guy is the one who feels like his country is being taken away from him".
Like always, with an end note on how Americans do more damage to themselves than Isis or Al-Qaeda, Stewart's monologue allowed his people to think, grow and more importantly start a dialogue. Sadly he will be leaving the "The Daily Show" on 6 August, but that means he will have enough time to prepare a more reputed and responsible job – that of the American President; or so his fans hope.
Although it may remain a wonderful dream, Jon Stewart fans are wishing to see him in the Oval Office none the less:
@ComedyCentral Jon stewart for president!✊✊ pic.twitter.com/n6ENvECQZX
— JAKE FROM STATE FARM (@Heffe_18) June 19, 2015
John Jackson (@realjohnjackson) - Jon Stewart should be president. That video is the most spot on thing I've seen all day
mitch goldstein (@mgoldst) - Honestly kind of wishing Jon Stewart was leaving The Daily Show to run for president.
Nicholas Gyeney (@mirrorimages) - Jon Stewart shows us yet again why HE should be President of the United States. The guy just gets it.
Mayar. (@my_areee) - Seriously, Jon Stewart for president.
Dj Hawthorne (@djhawthorne) - This is why he should run for president.
Christian O'Connell (@OC) - As ever the great Jon Stewart nails the Carolina massacre. Run for President Jon
brian botkiller (@brianbotkiller) - Why, oh why, can Jon Stewart not be president?
