by Lauren Neal, MatthewsPlace Youth Correspondent
Joy Behar's new show on the HLN network was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award, and Behar would "rather have it than [the Emmy]." Seriously. In one of the comedian's markedly abundant moments of sincerity, she confirmed her claim by noting that the GLAAD award seemed to privilege the "heartfelt" and deep-rooted appreciation for entertainers and media makers catering to and being open supporters of the LGBTQ and other communities grossly underrepresented by much of mainstream media. This is indeed a far cry from the now-cliché "favorit[ism]" of many other awards and ceremonies entrenched in American popular culture.
Joy Behar is incredibly popular; yet, she consistently roots for the "underdog" -- or, persons in the "minority" who are often silently subject to "majority" opinions and restrictions. Hers is a powerful allied voice for a number of marginalized communities; she supports LGBTQ-identified persons especially.
Even with the remarkable reach and impact of her voice in media and culture, Joy Behar appreciates the dialogue and discussion elicited by persons of divergent opinions sitting together in the same room. This has been her experience on the Emmy-winning talk show The View, and it is an experience she values greatly, particularly because there isn't "any pretense on the panel": each voice on The View, including Ms. Behar's, knows its own tones and timbre. Each voice appreciates the musical and productive conversation made possible by the collection of diverse sounded opinions, and each voice knows when silent, engaged listening is best for the development of an idea or for the voice's understanding.
It is the exchange of knowing herself, listening to others, and voicing her concerns -- as they are filtered through her personal experiences and careful reading of others' particularities -- that combine to make Joy Behar such an engaging and resounding presence. We, as humans, have our personal histories/pasts, our ears, and our words. They are tools which become very powerful when used in combination to promote productive discussion in constructive spaces. Clearly, when Behar speaks, others listen.
No comments:
Post a Comment