Yuki Nivez is a local Tokyo stand-up comedian, known for her deadpan delivery and take-no-prisoners attitude. She’s also a frequent guest contributor here at Unseen Japan. We present her newest article, spurred on by reflections on her upcoming live comedy event, Not Your Diversity Hire.
As I wrote in my last article on Unseen Japan, I started standup comedy in 2019, aspiring to be the type of comedian I wish I had seen growing up.
In March 2022, I launched a project to create a comedy space free from misogyny. I originally wanted to name the show Not Your Diversity Hire, inspired by the countless times I was told, “You only get booked because you’re a woman.” etc.
However, before announcing the show, a male comedian suggested changing the name to Not Just a Diversity Hire to soften it. This didn’t sit right with me, as it felt like I was saying, “Yes, I am a diversity hire, but I’m not just that,” which undermined the show’s message. But in the pressure and chaos of launching the project, I went with the suggestion.
We are conditioned to question ourselves. Anytime women try to carve out a safe space, we tend to over-explain and beg for understanding—despite our real, firsthand experiences that made it necessary in the first place.
We shouldn’t have to be apologetic, and nobody can deny our experiences. Yet in reality, we all struggle to find the balance between standing our ground and protecting our own well-being.
The Myth of the Under-qualified Diversity Hire
We’re now experiencing a growing backlash against diversity and the dismantling of DEI initiatives in the U.S. and beyond. This has led me to feel that it’s time to address that initial name change. The reality is that the idea of the underqualified diversity hire has always been a misdirection.
In reality, women and other marginalized groups have been excluded from nearly every industry and field (except for unpaid or underpaid labor) for centuries.
It’s only been less than one person’s lifetime since women were legally and systematically barred from many industries, higher education, and leadership roles. The most underqualified hires were never those from marginalized backgrounds, but rather those who benefited from privilege. They gained their positions through networks, nepotism, and bias rather than merit.
Because it’s only been such a short time, much of this progress has been legal rather than cultural. Issues like sexual harassment and bias remain persistent in many industries and professional spaces. Women are still navigating environments where we don’t fully feel respected or safe.
And even when we face these issues, our experiences are often questioned or dismissed. We’re often told, “It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman.” It’s the same rhetoric as “I don’t see color.” Those who don’t experience it deny the reality of those who do.
The Danger of Performative Allyship
Many businesses, organizations, and individuals engage in performative activism and inclusion motivated by self-preservation and personal gain. They do so as a shield against criticism, as a way to gain clout and social capital, or as a PR move to maintain a positive image. It’s a strategic business/career move, aligning with the social climate.
This is not just self-serving. It’s dangerous.
Performative allyship is only present when inclusion and progress are socially beneficial. These allies support the cause when it aligns with dominant trends, but they vanish the moment it becomes inconvenient.
This means that marginalized groups and those who actually fight for progress are left vulnerable when real pushback or regression happens.
Societal progress of women’s rights is not linear—history has shown that rights can be rolled back quickly (E.g. as seen in Afghanistan, Iran, and the U.S.).
When the political or cultural climate shifts, performative allies don’t just abandon the cause—they often help normalize the shift by staying silent or even aligning with the new status quo.
The same people who once stood beside us for the sake of optics will either distance themselves or, worse, turn against us to protect their own interests.
This is particularly dangerous in environments where the cost of activism is high. Speaking out can result in the loss of career or social standing; even threats to personal safety and well-being.
This is another reason I do not participate in tokenism.
Beyond the Battle
I still get comments like “You are popular because you’re a woman” or “because you’re (things about my appearance)” said to my face.
Personally, when I receive these kinds of remarks, I choose to ignore them. Why should I waste my time engaging in arguments or trying to educate these people? Instead, I strive to outdo them.
But I do not wish the same battle on other women. We shouldn’t have to work three times harder to prove ourselves.
Still, I sometimes feel tired and powerless when I get told things like “Men like your comedy because they have a kink for being shamed/because you have a dominatrix vibe,” etc. It’s incredibly ironic and disappointing when even the act of calling out sexism and misogyny gets sexualized.
This sometimes makes me ask myself, ‘Is it even worth it?’
But strangely, every time I start to question myself, I receive messages from people I have never even met, telling me how much I inspire them and that they are rooting for me.
This keeps me going.
It’s a Reclamation – Not a Rebranding
The show’s name is now back to what it was always meant to be: Not Your Diversity Hire.
The goal was never to create a separate space for women.
When I started comedy in 2019 and invited my friends to shows, I was often told, “I don’t like standup comedy. It’s so sexist.”.
I wanted to change their experience.
Now, not only are those same women who once said they didn’t like standup comedy regulars at NYDH shows, but they are also going to other shows in Tokyo.
It’s been really meaningful to witness that change.
My goals for the future of Not Your Diversity Hire will continue to be comedy without misogyny, and inclusion without tokenism.
Yuki’s next Not Your Diversity Hire show will take place on March 28th in Naka-Meguro, Tokyo. You can read more about it here. The venue will feature cocktails designed by women bartenders and wine produced by women winemakers. Tickets are available at the door.
You can read more about Yuki’s journey up until this point in our earlier interview with her, here.
Have thoughts on this article? Share them with us on our Bluesky account or the Unseen Japan Discord server.
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