Students force comics to avoid ‘abusive’ topics
SNOWFLAKE students have been slammed for making comedians sign a “behavioural agreement”.
It bars comics from telling risqué jokes at their university.
The contract – designed to “provide a safe space for everyone to share and listen to comedy” – listed topics comics were warned to steer clear of.
They were told the uni had a “no tolerance policy” on “racism, sexism, classism, ageism, ableism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, xenophobia, Islamophobia or anti-religion or anti-atheism”.
Dictator
All jokes should be “respectful” and “non-abusive”.
TV comedian Lee Hurst branded universities the “land of the perpetually dull”.
Others said the uni’s policy mirrored that of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un.
The contract was sent out to five stand-ups approached to perform at the University of London’s Unicef on Campus comedy night next month.
Organiser Fisayo Eniolorunda wrote: “Attached is a short behavioural agreement form that we will ask for you to sign on the day to avoid problems.”
It read: “This contract has been written to ensure an environment where joy, love, and acceptance are reciprocated by all.
“All topics must be presented in a way that is respectful and kind. It does not mean these topics cannot be discussed.”
Russian-born comic Konstantin Kisin pulled out of the event, saying it “nearly made me puke”.
He said he was “genuinely shocked” by the agreement.
Unicef on Campus societies are independent of the national children’s charity.
The society said: “We are a group of students who do not represent Unicef.
“We extended an invitation to guests with the idea of hosting a comedy night to raise funds.
“Given that Unicef is a children’s charity we wanted to make sure it was appropriate.
“We would never wish to impose that guests would have to agree to anything they do not believe in. We apologise for the misunderstanding.”
Jokes that could pass the test include Peter Kay’s: “Two fish in a tank. One says: ‘How do you drive this thing?’”
And Tim Vine might have passed muster with: “Crime in multi-storey car parks. That is wrong on so many levels.”