This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Humor is powerful; it can heal, hurt, expose difficult ideas and uncover hidden truths. Everyone loves to laugh, and when we laugh, we share in our humanity. So why not use power of humor for good, to bring people together?

Liza Donnelly is a writer and cartoonist with The New Yorker Magazine, where she has been drawing cartoons about culture and politics for over thirty years. She is also a columnist and cartoonist for Forbes.com, specializing in politics and women’s rights. Donnelly draws a weekly political cartoon for Medium, and she is a contributor to many other national publications. Donnelly was a finalist for the 2014 Thurber Prize, the award for written humor in the United States.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)