It’s 2017, and the opinion of a lot of Americans, including myself, is that Trump is no good for this country of ours. Another popular opinion is that as much as some would like Trump impeached, the alternative is significantly worse. Since Trump officially announced his intention to run for the office of the President of the United States, it would be an understatement to say that the ride he has put the American people on has been merely a rollercoaster. We don’t see it in our everyday lives but, the actions that the Trump administration are taking have a more than serious chance of hurting us both in the long run and relatively short-term.

I can’t help but feel bad. I feel bad because I come from a middle-class family that has seen its struggles, but we have not been in such a place where living is almost unbearable. I feel bad because I know that my daily life will not change a lot but know that the lives of others who are not as fortunate as me will change makes me wonder what being under Trump’s “reign” really feels like. All of these thoughts I have stem from a pure curiosity that I have with politics. I have never been so politically active but I have always felt a surge of passion inside me, a passion for understanding and learning about the political climate of this country.

As someone who is not so into watching the news, I have found alternative ways to somewhat grasp an understanding of the state of politics in America. I am most engaged in the political conversation when I’m watching late-night television. I know, it probably sounds crazy. How can late-night possibly give me enough substance and information for my 2017 political tool belt?

Mostly over the past year, I have developed a certain respect and appreciation for political comedy and most importantly, those who are bringing entertainment to a particularly harrowing topic. With the pool wider than ever, comedians like John Oliver, Stephen Colbert, and Trevor Noah are giving their viewers something to chew on. They apply what they do best- comedy- to their vast and in-depth knowledge of politics. Saturday Night Live has been known for their politically-driven cold opens and skits. For as long as politics have given the world a reason to pay attention, comedy has been right there beside it, ready to fire.

I stand by my opinion that comedy can be a useful aid to those who wish to understand the politics of today. I find that through laughter, we can make sense of what is happening. Those who are brave and honest enough to accept comedy as a source for understanding are the ones able to overcome the darkness that covers our world all too often. Comedy is a tool used to bring simplicity (relatively speaking) to an incredibly complex and sometimes hard to comprehend topic. Laughter is the result of gaining a completely socially acceptable and mature understanding of politics today. Laughter is the key to a more accepting world. I urge you to stay up late. Watch Colbert or Noah or Oliver. Laugh

and learn.