Are Racist and Sexist jokes ok if they are used purely in a joking manner?
- Thread starter Elfgore
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Depends on if you're mocking the attitude (see: "The Stereotypes Song") or if you're trivializing the issue/supporting the bias. So yeah; context matters.
There's nothing inherently wrong with making a discriminatory joke. It's crass, but there's nothing really wrong with it.Elfgore said:
Now, if you use said joke as a personal attack against someone, then you'd be crossing the line, but if it's generic, there's nothing wrong with it.
The way I see it, what you say is completely irrelevant. What's important is what you convey. If you are making a joke, it's perfectly permissible. If you are attacking someone with it, then you're in the wrong.
In your specific case here, I'd say you were just fine there. It's some generic joke, albeit a bad one. There's no reason to be offended by it.
I would disagree with that. It doesn't matter who you're speaking to, all that matters is what you're saying.FoolKiller said:
The audience can (and does) overreact all the time, and it's ridiculous. For example, in my old wow guild, one of the members would use the word "******" as a generic insult (replacing "jackass", "fucker", etc). One of the other members, one of the whitest people I've ever met, threw a fit over it, while the only black guy (to my knowledge) in the guild laughed at it.
The audience's reaction does not change how acceptable a joke is. The only valid reason a statement like my example above, or the OP's, is "bad" is when it's used as a personal attack. Anything else just means people need to get over themselves.
You have to be aware of what your saying and how it reflects on you, on a basic level YES you have free speech, you have the right to make comments and jokes.
BUT , you should know how this reflects upon you. I KNOW that I've made and will continue to make light jokes about race and gender and such. However I try to keep in mind that no matter how much I deny my agreement with the joke/jest i'm still SAYING IT, and that means it's still going to reflect upon me. So in short, I don't make a joke if I don't understand what I'm actually saying. I try my best to avoid using the "oh I didn't really mean it, you know im just mocking that mentality right?" response, because I think on some level people use that as a shield. Think to anyone whose ever said they've done something "ironically". Say, ironically watching a bad movie. The movie is still being viewed, and the producers are still getting a cut of those profits, and chances are you actually like the film, why else would you pay money to rent/see it?
IT all goes back to a persons personal views. I just think you get more mileage out of a joke if it's honest. I generally find a better joke that I don't have to play off as ironic, and I prefer it that way.
BUT , you should know how this reflects upon you. I KNOW that I've made and will continue to make light jokes about race and gender and such. However I try to keep in mind that no matter how much I deny my agreement with the joke/jest i'm still SAYING IT, and that means it's still going to reflect upon me. So in short, I don't make a joke if I don't understand what I'm actually saying. I try my best to avoid using the "oh I didn't really mean it, you know im just mocking that mentality right?" response, because I think on some level people use that as a shield. Think to anyone whose ever said they've done something "ironically". Say, ironically watching a bad movie. The movie is still being viewed, and the producers are still getting a cut of those profits, and chances are you actually like the film, why else would you pay money to rent/see it?
IT all goes back to a persons personal views. I just think you get more mileage out of a joke if it's honest. I generally find a better joke that I don't have to play off as ironic, and I prefer it that way.
well then that is a slippery slope of context if I ever saw it. In this world you could say "hello" and someone will get offended. Hell you don't have to say anything and someone will get offended. But i think I understand what you meant and as long as no one in the immediate area and affected by the joke were offended right?Risingblade said:
Depends on who you are around.
Some poeple will get that it's just a joke and accept that, others.... not so much.
Some poeple will get that it's just a joke and accept that, others.... not so much.
people are way to up in arms about race. its dumb. its purely the color of your skin, sex is purely what genitalia you happen to own (and because of modern medical technology) at the time.
im part mexican. i make racist mexican jokes all the time. i also make jokes about women around my women freinds just to tease them. if its in jest it is fun and games and nothing else.
one thing you should be careful about is time and place and audiance for those jokes. if your a group of four white kids making jokes about black people in the middle of a mall or something you will come off as racist to those who dont know you.
im part mexican. i make racist mexican jokes all the time. i also make jokes about women around my women freinds just to tease them. if its in jest it is fun and games and nothing else.
one thing you should be careful about is time and place and audiance for those jokes. if your a group of four white kids making jokes about black people in the middle of a mall or something you will come off as racist to those who dont know you.
How many feminists does it take to change a lightbulb?
None! They can't change anything!
Now tell me, did that joke hurt anyone? Will there be any lasting consequences? Sure, a feminist or two might be a bit mad but it really isn't that bad. It's just a joke and as long as you're not trying to be an asshole it's fine.
None! They can't change anything!
Now tell me, did that joke hurt anyone? Will there be any lasting consequences? Sure, a feminist or two might be a bit mad but it really isn't that bad. It's just a joke and as long as you're not trying to be an asshole it's fine.
As long as it is in jest and everyone that hears it or reads it is completely understanding of the fact that it is a joke. If we can't joke about stuff we will never be able to move past it is my personal opinion. Although you should never that things to far.
Depends. I know people who find it offensive to make a joke aimed at anyone of any description, and I myself can take a joke I'm the butt of assuming it's in good fun.
