Humour me

Written: 7 March 2016

 

Watched Margaret Cho's Psycho tour on Saturday night. Had mixed feelings about the 75-minute comedy act. We went there because we thought she was a famous stand-up comedian like Seinfeld (ROFL).

 

First, I want to say that she is a genius and a true-blue professional. She had obviously read up on recent big news in Singapore. Her initial barbs were directed at Lawrence Khong, with references to China Wine and City Harvest as well. Also, there were quite a lot of jibes at God, Jesus, Catholics and Christians (she used to be a Sunday school teacher). What impressed me was her use of "merlion" as a reference to throwing up.

 

A significant portion of her show were graphic and crude jokes about sex. She was open about her bisexuality. She also exposed her heavily tattooed tummy and butt. I was most uncomfortable with all that plus I didn't understand some of her jokes and references.

 

Her political commentary was excellent. Trump drew most of her fire. She also made jokes about herself, her mom and her dad and what it was like to grow up as a Korean American. Her Korean name is Mo-ran, which means peony (牡丹) in Chinese.

 

One of the most significant parts of her show for me was her telling us that she is a victim of sexual abuse. She was sexually abused by her uncle between the ages of 5 and 12. This uncle is still quite close to her extended family even now.

 

Her tattooing of almost her entire body began after that and she also became a phone sex operator at the age of 15. She also said that she is bulimic.*

 

This, for me, is among the horrendous consequences of being sexually abused at a young age. The emotional and physical scars do not go away so easily. One is too young to know that it is not right. One is too scared to tell others. And oftentimes, the perpetrator is someone known to the family, which is how the perpetrator is able to gain easy access to the kid.

 

A kid is among the most vulnerable of humans. It is an extremely sore point with me that certain perpetrators have been protected within the confines of institutions dedicated to the service of God, as the movie Spotlight has shown. Sexual abuse of minors is criminal. Perpetrators should be brought to justice. God is clear about justice. If we do not act to protect our young, what hope can we have for the future?

 

* Several studies have shown that those at high risk of eating disorders because of trauma include victims of sexual abuse, especially those who suffered at a younger age.

 

P.S. I have overstretched my line in the sand this time. While Cho is top-notch, I think a number of topics are too offensive and risque for me. Would I catch such similar-themed acts again in future? No.