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Humor has always played a role in politics. Television shows, editorial cartoons, comedians, and internet creators all use comedy to comment on government, elections, and public figures.

Humor can:

• Reduce tension.
• Encourage discussion.
• Increase engagement.
• Make political topics more accessible.

At the same time, humor can also reinforce existing beliefs or deepen political divisions.

The Importance of Context

One of the biggest challenges with memes is the absence of context.

An image may:

• Reference a recent news story.
• Respond to a speech.
• Mock a political statement.
• Comment on an election.
• Satirize public opinion.
  

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