The Revolution Will Be Hilarious

An insider’s look at the power of comedy to effect social change

From Trevor Noah’s The Daily Show and Hasan Minhaj’s Patriot Act, to Issa Rae’s Insecure and Corey Ryan Forrester’s Twitter feed, today’s multi-platform comedy refuses to shy away from the social issues that define our time.As more comedians lean into social justice activism, they help reshape the entertainment industry and offer creative, dynamic avenues for social change.

The Revolution Will Be Hilarious offers a compelling insider’s look at how comedy and social justice activists are working together in a revolutionary media moment. Caty Borum invites readers into an expanding, enterprising arena of participatory culture and politics through in-depth interviews with comedians, social justice leaders, and Hollywood players. Their insights shed light on questions such as: What role does comedy play in helping communities engage the public with challenging social issues? How do social justice organizations and comedians co-create entertaining comedy designed to build the civic power of marginalized groups? And how are entertainment industry leaders working with social justice organizations to launch new comedy as both entertainment and inspiration for social change?

Through this exploration, Borum argues that building creative power is crucial for marginalized groups to build civic power. The Revolution Will Be Hilarious positions the rise of social justice comedy as creative, disruptive storytelling that hilariously invites us to agitate the status quo and re-imagine social realities to come closer to the promise of equity and justice in America.

Caty Borum is Executive Director of the Center for Media & Social Impact; Associate Professor of Communication at American University; and author of Story Movements: How Documentaries Empower People and Inspire Social Change; and co-author, with Lauren Feldman, of A Comedian and An Activist Walk Into a Bar: The Serious Role of Comedy in Social Justice.Caty Borum is Executive Director of the Center for Media & Social Impact; Associate Professor of Communication at American University; and author of Story Movements: How Documentaries Empower People and Inspire Social Change; and co-author, with Lauren Feldman, of A Comedian and An Activist Walk Into a Bar: The Serious Role of Comedy in Social Justice.

It is clear from reading The Revolution Will Be Hilarious that Borum cares quite deeply about the
power of civic organizations to drive social and political change and that her active, engaged scholarship is
helping to promote a revolution that is both funny and impactful....Borum shows us just what can happen when comedians and activists work together to promote social change.

Brian Boone:
The Revolution Will Be Hilarious shows how much media can emerge, converge, and use comedy as an effective tool for bringing about lasting change.

An important addition to support multidisciplinary research in the social sciences and fine arts, with a wide appeal for those interested in the role of activist comedy on emerging social media platforms.

In response to years of clear social upheaval in the United States, from renewed fights for social justice to new threats of authoritarianism, a new, diverse set of comedy voices are using humor in their activism. Caty Borum chronicles this phenomenon in her entertaining book The Revolution Will Be Hilarious.

Deniese Davis, founder/CEO, Reform Media Group; co-executive producer, Insecure; producer, A Black Lady Sketch Show:
The book that comedy and social justice never knew it needed! The revelations, stories, and ideas presented are inspirational. A must-read for anyone who is interested in the intersection of entertainment and culture.

Nick Marx and Matt Sienkiewicz, authors of That's Not Funny: How the Right Makes Comedy Work for Them:
Arguing that humor is a fuel that powers positive change, Borum shows up- close how comedians turn communities of laughter into communities of action. A fun read and full of insight, this book is essential for anyone interested in the business of comedy and the power of grassroots politics.

Roy Wood Jr., Comedian, Correspondent, The Daily Show:
Caty Borum's analysis of the intersection of activism and humor highlights how much comedy plays a role in shaping the way we think and shaping the way we see the world as it is. This book also beautifully illustrates how humor can help us shape the world into what we hope it could be. There is no one more qualified to take us on such a journey than Caty Borum.

Josh Church, producer of Bros and George Carlin’s American Dream, Apatow Productions:
Caty Borum shows us why she is the leading expert in the field of comedy & social justice. The Revolution Will Be Hilarious is essential reading for all the creative deviants out there who wish to engage with comedy as a form of artistic resistance.