Synthesis Essay 'That's Not Funny'

I've always believed that some of the good comedians we admire today got their story lines from painful situations or dilemmas that they or others around them have encountered. Many people assume that certain comedians who joke about matters such as race or religion are doing so to be hurtful, but I believe that these comedians are helping to shed light on what some may call the "elephant in the room". However I do believe that any entertainer whether it be a comedian or musical artist should keep in mind that college campuses also have younger kids that attend there also. Caitlin Flanagan expresses in her article "That's Not Funny" that college campuses seem to take a critical approach in deciding which comedians are allowed on their campuses
based on what the comedian are implying in their acts. She also expresses the point that college kids are a difficult bunch to entertain because of the precautions comedians have to take to ensure no one is left feeling belittled or singled out. I'm of two minds about Flanagan's claim that college students are just entirely too serious and sensitive to handle a a good joke. On the one hand, I agree that college kids shouldn’t be so easily offended about what others joke about. On the other hand, I'm not sure that Flanagan kept in mind the different ages groups that occupy the college campuses, both young and old.