Jon Stewart responded to Wednesday’s attack on satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo that killed 12 on “The Daily Show,” offering a reflective response on what comedy should be.
“I know very few people go into comedy as an act of courage, mainly because it shouldn’t have to be that,” Stewart said. “It shouldn’t be an act of courage, it should be taken as established law. But those guys at Hebdo had it and they were killed for their cartoons.”
Stewart sent his condolenses to the families of the 12 victims: cartoonists, journalists, and police officers. As TheWrap reported, one suspect surrendered Wednesday night while two remain at large.
He then pivoted to the bigger picture that comes into focus after this type of attack on comedy and freedom of the press.
“A stark reminder that for the most part the legislators and journalists and institutions that we jab and ridicule are not in any way the enemy,” he continued. “For however frustrating or outraged the back and forth can become it’s still back and forth, a conversation amongst those on let’s call it ‘Team Civilization.’ And this type of violence only clarifies that reality.”
He concluded by encouraging everyone to march on:
“Our goal tonight is not to make sense of this because there is no sense to be made. Our goal as it is always is to keep going.”
Watch the video above.