Drum Tower
Drum Tower: Stand-up feminists
Dec 5, 2023
Alice Su, senior China correspondent, and David Rennie, The Economist's Beijing bureau chief, explore the challenges faced by Chinese feminists in China and their use of stand-up comedy as a form of expression. They discuss self-censorship in comedy, the motivations behind going into exile, and the impact of comedy on feminist topics. The podcast also explores the cathartic and risky nature of the comedy club at Drum Tower, the consequences of losing access to social media in China, and the experiences of exiled individuals navigating high pressure and surveillance.
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Quick takeaways
- Chinese feminists use stand-up comedy shows abroad as a platform to freely express themselves and address political and social issues through humor.
- The Chinese feminist stand-up comedy shows serve as a means of survival and resistance, offering empowerment, a sense of community, and relief.
Deep dives
Chinese feminists doing stand-up abroad
Chinese feminists, facing increased restrictions and oppression in China, have taken to doing stand-up comedy shows abroad. These shows provide a platform for Chinese feminists to freely express themselves and address political and social issues through humor. The stand-up comedy shows feature Mandarin performances and address topics such as feminism, government censorship, and activism. For many Chinese feminists, the shows offer a way to rebuild a sense of community and resilience from outside of China, while also providing a space to connect with audience members who share their vision. The shows perform a dual role of offering catharsis and entertainment while highlighting the challenges faced by feminists in China.
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