Jon Stewart wants to change the way Americans discuss politics. Unlike those on the far right and far left of the political spectrum, Stewart hopes to foster intelligent discourse among the middle rather than using tactics like fear-mongering.
Besides his television show, Stewart’s political instrument is the Oct. 30 Rally to Restore Sanity. In a time when political extremists are directing political conversation, Stewart’s event hopes to allow political moderates to voice their opinions. It is doubtful, though, that the rally will make a significant impact. The rally suppresses basic human psychology and ignores historical successes. To be truly successful in bringing attention to the opinions of political moderates, the rally must bring out a large number of attendees.
‘The Rally to Restore Sanity’ is obviously a parody of conservative Glenn Beck’s Aug. ‘Rally to Restore Honor’. Although its intent may be serious, the rally has already taken a step back away from its goal. How can a comedian be taken seriously, especially when his colleague Stephen Colbert is holding an even less serious- ‘Rally to Keep Fear Alive’ on the same day? Many critics have already dismissed the purpose of Stewart’s rally as illegitimate based solely on the comedic context.
Another factor going against Stewart’s rally is the targeted audience. Whereas Beck was supported by passionate older Tea Partiers and conservatives, Stewart is relying on moderate college students and young adults. Sadly, the last election was an exception to the long-standing rule that our demographic does not get involved with politics. Young voters in 2008 were most likely liberals motivated by a radical and charismatic voice of change — not moderates who wanted to discuss issues using their “indoor voice,” as Stewart surmises. Discouraging excessive and loud behaviors will only alienate many of Stewart’s serious followers.
Because the audience is so young, the date is also an issue. An Oct. 30 date — the day before Halloween — will limit the rally’s audience to mostly Washington, D.C.-area residents who will not have to travel. Honestly, which moderate college student would be willing to travel to Washington and miss out on Halloween for the sake of a rally? I doubt the same crowd that watches the Daily Show for laughs and kicks.
The goal of the rally does little to inspire people to come. No one plans on getting into a crowd — whether that is at a stadium during a sporting event or concert, a mob during a riot, or a choir during church – for the sake of calm reason. We want to become lost in a crowd; united for a purpose in yelling, singing, or dance. A young crowd does not want to be standing at ‘the round table’ surrounded by people who have different views. This is supposed to be a rally, not Model U.N.
Unless Stewart’s rally outnumbers that of Beck’s, which saw 80,000 participants, people from both parties will deem Stewart’s event not a political stance against extremism, but rather a cool social gathering. Currently, attendance is expected to be low, especially since Colbert is going to take some attendees away from Stewart with his own rally.
When you think of the events that changed American history involving the masses, you think of revolutions, marches, protests and other acts of rebellion. Or there is the civil disobedience displayed during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Martin Luther King Jr., the bus boycott and peaceful demonstrations played the dominant role during that time. But would the impact have been as great if the Civil Rights Movement did not also include the rhetoric and might of more aggressive figures such as Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam or Huey Newton and the Black Panthers?
The Rally to Restore Sanity does not need weapons or martyrs. However paradoxical as it may seem, it would not hurt if the rally for sanity included some passion and shouting. Yet, millions of people whispering are just as loud as a few hundred yelling. In the unlikely scenario of Stewart’s rally gaining momentum, time would be better spent listening to a hysterical Colbert than trying to unsuccessfully change a nation’s mindset with an ineffective Stewart.