Poll: Which Group of People You Should Never Make Fun Of?

[Saltyk]

You should be able to make jokes about anyone. And you frankly shouldn't be afraid to make those jokes around the people you are joking about. People should be able to take a joke. By giving people special exemption you only encourage divisions between people.

Some insist that you shouldn't punch down, but I disagree. Can you think of a better time to hit someone then when they're on the ground? Punch everyone!

There are limits to this, of course, and times you shouldn't mock people. But that doesn't mean that you should never ever make jokes about some people. We're all equal in comedy. And comedy gets people talking. And when people talk, they can come to understandings and work to fix what problems exist.

By saying you don't want certain people to be made fun of, you're telling me you think those people are children. That they can't handle a joke. And that you don't want people to acknowledge them or their problems.

Do you think it is appropriate to make fun of someone who is disabled, has a birth defect, due to the color of their skin, or some other thing they have no control over? That is how you start much larger conflicts, such as making fun of a mentally disabled person, they take it wrong, kill themselves then say their brother kills you.. yea that is not a good example to set at all for improving society as a whole... this in history has led to fights, murders, wars.. it is a horrible idea.

Sure. Why not? Josh Blue made jokes about his own disability (cerebral palsy), and he was probably my favorite comedian to ever appear on Last Comic Standing. Even saw a stand up special of his, and he was hilarious. Had a great joke about how he also did sign language for the hearing impaired, though he didn't know if his hand was doing the same routine.

But why don't I put my money where my mouth is?
Today, I was talking to a black coworker of mine. He had taken a few days off last week and was seeing a doctor. Now, the last time I saw him, he wasn't quite himself, but today he seemed much better. I commented as much to him and the conversation went something like this.

"What do you mean? I wasn't me?"
"Nah, you just seemed a lot less energetic and happy."
"Sorry if I was grumpy. Next time give me a Snickers bar."
"No, I think I'll give you a niggers Bar instead."
(His eyes light up) "Oh, that's perfect. I'd love one of those."

He then dropped his 'character' and began wondering if someone like Dave Chappelle had made a joke about that. Needless to say we were both laughing and having a good time about it. Nor is that the first time we have made jokes about our respective races. ("If someone steals something, you did it, if someone kills someone, I did it")

That's not to say I would mock a particular disabled person, but I would certainly make jokes about disabled people in general. However, if I had a disabled friend, I can almost guarantee that we would make jokes about his disability. You know why? Because disabled people don't want you to treat them different, they want you to treat them like people. And if my friends and I weren't making jokes about someone like that, they would certainly feel like we were treating them differently. Mind you, we'd probably wait to make them feel welcome, and apologize if we ever crossed a line.
(Among my friends is a cancer survivor and we've never avoided using the cancer cards in Cards Games Against Humanity and we certainly make jokes about our gay friends)

As for people committing suicide, I don't think a single joke will drive most people over that line. Harassment certainly could, but that is not a joke. If a single joke drives you to suicide, you had other serious issues.

As for jokes causing wars, that is an absolutely ridiculous assertion. Me making a joke will not cause a war. A representative of a government being an idiot to a representative of another government might. Trying to suggest that a joke could cause war is shameful. Even if there was a case of a government representative playing a joke and causing a war, need I remind you that I stated that there are limits and times you shouldn't make jokes or mock people? That would be one such time.

 

[MeatMachine]

Nobody is above mockery, and therefore nobody "should never be made fun of"; LEAST of all for their identity.

That being said, circumstances should be taken into consideration for when people are vulnerable, and therefore ripe for mistreatment. Making fun of someone who is genuinely uncomfortable with the attention, and who wants to withdraw from the situation is mean-spirited, and can easily devolve into full-on abuse. If a person doesn't take the joke well and simply wants you to stop, it would be cruel to keep doing so.

These are one group of people - the other group of people are opportunistic assholes that consider themselves above mockery; they won't take offense to a joke, so much as they will become excited for the chance to justifiably become aggressive and antagonistic as a means of oppressing anyone who doesn't hold them to the same level of high regard as they hold themselves. THESE people are more worthy of being made fun of than anybody else, especially if they hide behind the shield of identity politics.

Differentiating between these two types of people is where the importance ultimately lies. At least for me.

 

[aegix drakan_v1legacy]

I firmly believe that the only people who should be made fun of are assholes and morons (who are intentionally ignorant and refuse to think deeper about anything).

What they are aside from that is irrelevant.

Whether it's a White dude slut shaming the very girls he was trying to "charm", a black woman cussing out a homeless person he literally tripped over, a woman slapping her husband for not listening to her complaints, or a gay person saying that we don't need a minimum wage and people need to stop whining...I care about their actions and words, not the person making them.

I don't have it in me to mock anyone for what they are. ...Well, ok, maybe I make fun of rednecks. >_> Mea Culpa.

If you say so. I don't keep up with the rules of what makes you an SJW any more. I figured I had earned my lifetime membership by wanting more and better female characters in video games.

Oh damn, I'm back to being an SJW then. It's confusing how I keep getting labelled as one side or the other interchangeably based on who I talk to! XD

 

[Lil devils x_v1legacy]

You should be able to make jokes about anyone. And you frankly shouldn't be afraid to make those jokes around the people you are joking about. People should be able to take a joke. By giving people special exemption you only encourage divisions between people.

Some insist that you shouldn't punch down, but I disagree. Can you think of a better time to hit someone then when they're on the ground? Punch everyone!

There are limits to this, of course, and times you shouldn't mock people. But that doesn't mean that you should never ever make jokes about some people. We're all equal in comedy. And comedy gets people talking. And when people talk, they can come to understandings and work to fix what problems exist.

By saying you don't want certain people to be made fun of, you're telling me you think those people are children. That they can't handle a joke. And that you don't want people to acknowledge them or their problems.

Do you think it is appropriate to make fun of someone who is disabled, has a birth defect, due to the color of their skin, or some other thing they have no control over? That is how you start much larger conflicts, such as making fun of a mentally disabled person, they take it wrong, kill themselves then say their brother kills you.. yea that is not a good example to set at all for improving society as a whole... this in history has led to fights, murders, wars.. it is a horrible idea.

Sure. Why not? Josh Blue made jokes about his own disability (cerebral palsy), and he was probably my favorite comedian to ever appear on Last Comic Standing. Even saw a stand up special of his, and he was hilarious. Had a great joke about how he also did sign language for the hearing impaired, though he didn't know if his hand was doing the same routine.

But why don't I put my money where my mouth is?
Today, I was talking to a black coworker of mine. He had taken a few days off last week and was seeing a doctor. Now, the last time I saw him, he wasn't quite himself, but today he seemed much better. I commented as much to him and the conversation went something like this.

"What do you mean? I wasn't me?"
"Nah, you just seemed a lot less energetic and happy."
"Sorry if I was grumpy. Next time give me a Snickers bar."
"No, I think I'll give you a niggers Bar instead."
(His eyes light up) "Oh, that's perfect. I'd love one of those."

He then dropped his 'character' and began wondering if someone like Dave Chappelle had made a joke about that. Needless to say we were both laughing and having a good time about it. Nor is that the first time we have made jokes about our respective races. ("If someone steals something, you did it, if someone kills someone, I did it")

That's not to say I would mock a particular disabled person, but I would certainly make jokes about disabled people in general. However, if I had a disabled friend, I can almost guarantee that we would make jokes about his disability. You know why? Because disabled people don't want you to treat them different, they want you to treat them like people. And if my friends and I weren't making jokes about someone like that, they would certainly feel like we were treating them differently. Mind you, we'd probably wait to make them feel welcome, and apologize if we ever crossed a line.
(Among my friends is a cancer survivor and we've never avoided using the cancer cards in Cards Games Against Humanity and we certainly make jokes about our gay friends)

As for people committing suicide, I don't think a single joke will drive most people over that line. Harassment certainly could, but that is not a joke. If a single joke drives you to suicide, you had other serious issues.

As for jokes causing wars, that is an absolutely ridiculous assertion. Me making a joke will not cause a war. A representative of a government being an idiot to a representative of another government might. Trying to suggest that a joke could cause war is shameful. Even if there was a case of a government representative playing a joke and causing a war, need I remind you that I stated that there are limits and times you shouldn't make jokes or mock people? That would be one such time.

Making jokes about yourself is fine, people making jokes about someone else's misery isn't so fine. Yes it is kicking someone when they are down and you have no idea what they could be going through. You have no idea what they have to talk themselves out of just to make it through another day and that could very well be the thing that pushed them over the edge. You are not capable of diagnosing their mental health. Most people just want to be normal and not be known instead for their disability, something that happened to them, something they have no control over. They want to be known for who they are, not have this awful thing blocking everyone's view of what that actually is.

No. people do not want to be treated different just for their disability and many do not want it to be ignored (though some actually do just want to forget that it is there and not have that be what defines them) For example, people in wheelchairs do not want to be known as " that guy in the wheelchair" because it reduces them to be identified by their condition rather than how everyone else is identified. It is like when you know no ones name but are trying to recall them, such as " that cute brunette with jean shorts" or "that tall guy in khakis" to help your remember and for people with disabilities, instead of thinking of them as you think of anyone else, it comes down to " that girl tin the wheelchair" or that guy with downs syndrome" instead and that can be quite disheartening for anyone to have that what defines them rather than just be like everyone else. That girl in the wheelchair, really just wants to be known as " that "cute blonde in the pink top" like anyone else would be identified. People do not often seem to realize that and do not look past their disability, or their race or something that happens to them and instead that is in their face all the time. Why would anyone want that to be what defines them instead?

"The black guy" doesn't want to be thought of like that, instead he would rather be thought of the same way you view anyone else. The issue with things like being " the black guy" is it affects every single aspect of their lives. Whether it is getting a job, trying to start a conversation on the bus, being pulled over, trying to ask a woman out on a date, hanging out with the guys after work.. it affects everything. Them pointing that out is one thing, but for others to hone in on that and focus on it is an entirely different situation for them. To recognize and acknowledge that there are issues is fine, when they bring it up, however, if you do not share that issue with them the best you an be is empathetic, but you could never understand what it is like to wake up with that issue every single day 24/7 for their entire lives, so yea it is better to just let them vent instead of pretending to begin to know what that is like.

The thing about " the single joke" is you have no idea what they have already been put through. That single joke could just be the straw that breaks the camel's back. How many people thinking a "single joke" is harmless can they take? You don't know if that was the 100th single joke that have heard in a month or not. They live with this shit 24/7 every day of their life. Every waking and sleeping moment, many cannot even escape it in their dreams. The overload of what they deal with many cannot even begin to imagine. Not know what that person has been through, you have no way of knowing if it was they are at their breaking point or not. Of course you don't want to walk around on needles and pins around people, but if you just make it a general rule in life not to kick people when they are down, nd try to see them for who they really are instead, it certainly helps.

Ridicule, insults and jokes have started many conflicts, and yes actual wars. Wars have started for many reasons even less than that..
http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/6-wars-fought-for-ridiculous-reasons
http://www.neatorama.com/2007/08/10/all-in-the-family-5-wars-waged-on-familial-insults/
http://414son.blogspot.com/2009/01/america-week-3-insults-that-led-to-war.html

The history of conflicts started over this in our Native American Oral traditions is ALSO part of why we are taught to be very mindful of our words, our stories of how these " harmless words" have led to tragedies is why we are taught to place great value on respect for one another and treat all things with respect. That lack of respect and being careless and disrespectful to all things is what has led to tremendous death and suffering in our past, and we are taught not to forget that. In the oral history of our tribe, insults and disrespect is what has led to vast majority of conflicts, not just a few.

No that is not shameful to make you aware of these things, but failing to learn from our past very well could be considered shameful. Words are not as harmless as you have been led to believe.

 

[Dragonbums]

On super general terms, everyone is fair game for being made fun of.
However it's a case of picking your battles wisely.

You aren't going to be winning any morality points if your constant targets are disabled people or rape victims for example.

 

[axlryder]

I think some people need to learn the meaning of the word succinct

OP: context is king.

 

[Kae]

Yeah everything is fair game but just pick your audience properly, it's OK to make fun of anything but do it with tact, do it with people that will appreciate the humour, for example, I have a friend who is a dwarf and not many people tell him dwarf jokes because they think he'll be offended but he's fine with it, in fact, the guy likes to make the jokes himself.

And you know I have friends who like to make jokes about rape and generally pretty dark and nasty humour, but they know to tone it down a bit when they are around me because they can feel it makes me uncomfortable, probably because I'm very easy to read when I act socially awkward, it's not like I tell them to tone it down or anything but they know that if I'm around it's just better to stick a sock in it and make jokes about murder, disabled people or whatever instead, not because I find it funny[footnote]I find almost nothing funny.[/footnote] but because that does not bother me as much.

And for example I'm generally pretty polite and am more of a nice kind of person, but I like to make mean jokes about my friends and it works because they are fine with it, you know I'll call them idiots generally be really sarcastic and cynical towards them, like I said it's all about the audience, that being said I'm not a comedian so don't ask me for what is OK in media or on a stage.

 

[Fox12]

Whichever one is heavily armed and grumpy

 

[Mechamorph]

The dead. Sure we can remember the terrible things they have done, the wonderful things they have done and everything in between. Mocking the dead however? Not cool, especially those who died in service to their country or to save others. You probably will start a fight if you do it in front of their loved ones or compatriots and not a single person will blame them if they remove your teeth with a blunt instrument.

 

[Fox12]

The dead. Sure we can remember the terrible things they have done, the wonderful things they have done and everything in between. Mocking the dead however? Not cool, especially those who died in service to their country or to save others. You probably will start a fight if you do it in front of their loved ones or compatriots and not a single person will blame them if they remove your teeth with a blunt instrument.

I'm probably a bad person, but I somewhat disagree. I had a racist family member who beat his wife and children, and who drank regularly. His children once sued a grieving widow for all she had, and when she died shortly afterward they sued her estate. The guy was a real piece of work. But when his funeral came everyone remembered how kind he was, and how he was a family man. Surely he's sitting at the right hand of Jesus.

And it all just felt so wrong. I felt dirty sitting in that pew. I don't know what the solution is. I wouldn't mock the guy at his funeral. I wouldn't try to hurt his family like that. But I can't pretend he's a good person either. I'd feel like a hypocrite if I criticized the man one day, and pretended he was a saint the next.

 

[Saltyk]

Making jokes about yourself is fine, people making jokes about someone else's misery isn't so fine.

You're making some serious assumptions about these people to assume they are miserable. Sounds like you think all these people are victims rather than actual people with motives and lives beyond one tiny little aspect of their identity.

Yes it is kicking someone when they are down and you have no idea what they could be going through. You have no idea what they have to talk themselves out of just to make it through another day and that could very well be the thing that pushed them over the edge. You are not capable of diagnosing their mental health. Most people just want to be normal and not be known instead for their disability, something that happened to them, something they have no control over. They want to be known for who they are, not have this awful thing blocking everyone's view of what that actually is.

Seems you missed that I was half making a joke (that thing we're talking about in this thread) and half making a point. However, this logic that I don't know how people feel and shouldn't mock them because they might kill themselves is not only bordering on fear-mongering, but also a reason why you shouldn't mock anyone. You're arguing for protected classes, but ignoring that the logic applies to everyone. Hell, you could make this argument for rich and famous people, too.

Allow me to say it, again. If someone commits suicide over a single joke, they have some serious issues and would likely be pushed to that point regardless. Harassment is different than a joke.

No. people do not want to be treated different just for their disability and many do not want it to be ignored (though some actually do just want to forget that it is there and not have that be what defines them) For example, people in wheelchairs do not want to be known as " that guy in the wheelchair" because it reduces them to be identified by their condition rather than how everyone else is identified. It is like when you know no ones name but are trying to recall them, such as " that cute brunette with jean shorts" or "that tall guy in khakis" to help your remember and for people with disabilities, instead of thinking of them as you think of anyone else, it comes down to " that girl tin the wheelchair" or that guy with downs syndrome" instead and that can be quite disheartening for anyone to have that what defines them rather than just be like everyone else. That girl in the wheelchair, really just wants to be known as " that "cute blonde in the pink top" like anyone else would be identified. People do not often seem to realize that and do not look past their disability, or their race or something that happens to them and instead that is in their face all the time. Why would anyone want that to be what defines them instead?

I would think they would want to be known as Rebeca, Thomas, Rachel, Leroy, Yuri, or whatever their name is. You know not being identified by some singular minor trait, but by who they are as people.

"The black guy" doesn't want to be thought of like that, instead he would rather be thought of the same way you view anyone else. The issue with things like being " the black guy" is it affects every single aspect of their lives. Whether it is getting a job, trying to start a conversation on the bus, being pulled over, trying to ask a woman out on a date, hanging out with the guys after work.. it affects everything. Them pointing that out is one thing, but for others to hone in on that and focus on it is an entirely different situation for them. To recognize and acknowledge that there are issues is fine, when they bring it up, however, if you do not share that issue with them the best you an be is empathetic, but you could never understand what it is like to wake up with that issue every single day 24/7 for their entire lives, so yea it is better to just let them vent instead of pretending to begin to know what that is like.

You know I actually want to disagree with some of what you're saying. I do. But I think I'll prove a point, instead.


By your logic, that scene is horrible. I think it's hilarious and poignant.

Ridicule, insults and jokes have started many conflicts, and yes actual wars. Wars have started for many reasons even less than that..
http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/6-wars-fought-for-ridiculous-reasons
http://www.neatorama.com/2007/08/10/all-in-the-family-5-wars-waged-on-familial-insults/
http://414son.blogspot.com/2009/01/america-week-3-insults-that-led-to-war.html

The history of conflicts started over this in our Native American Oral traditions is ALSO part of why we are taught to be very mindful of our words, our stories of how these " harmless words" have led to tragedies is why we are taught to place great value on respect for one another and treat all things with respect. That lack of respect and being careless and disrespectful to all things is what has led to tremendous death and suffering in our past, and we are taught not to forget that. In the oral history of our tribe, insults and disrespect is what has led to vast majority of conflicts, not just a few.

This is straight up fear mongering. Yes, wars have started in part due to stupid reasons. That does not mean you or I should not make jokes. This is a ludicrous standpoint to make.

No that is not shameful to make you aware of these things, but failing to learn from our past very well could be considered shameful. Words are not as harmless as you have been led to believe.

It's one thing to learn from the past. It's another to live in it. And words are only as harmful as you let them be.

Treating people with respect is one thing. But saying that certain people should be exempt from jokes is NOT respecting those people. It's saying that you don't think they are able to handle jokes.

I really don't want to get any further in this debate with you. I disagree with you. It's obvious that neither of us will change the others mind. Let's agree to disagree and go our separate ways like mature adults.

 

[Lil devils x_v1legacy]

Spoiler

Making jokes about yourself is fine, people making jokes about someone else's misery isn't so fine.

You're making some serious assumptions about these people to assume they are miserable. Sounds like you think all these people are victims rather than actual people with motives and lives beyond one tiny little aspect of their identity.

Yes it is kicking someone when they are down and you have no idea what they could be going through. You have no idea what they have to talk themselves out of just to make it through another day and that could very well be the thing that pushed them over the edge. You are not capable of diagnosing their mental health. Most people just want to be normal and not be known instead for their disability, something that happened to them, something they have no control over. They want to be known for who they are, not have this awful thing blocking everyone's view of what that actually is.

Seems you missed that I was half making a joke (that thing we're talking about in this thread) and half making a point. However, this logic that I don't know how people feel and shouldn't mock them because they might kill themselves is not only bordering on fear-mongering, but also a reason why you shouldn't mock anyone. You're arguing for protected classes, but ignoring that the logic applies to everyone. Hell, you could make this argument for rich and famous people, too.

Allow me to say it, again. If someone commits suicide over a single joke, they have some serious issues and would likely be pushed to that point regardless. Harassment is different than a joke.

No. people do not want to be treated different just for their disability and many do not want it to be ignored (though some actually do just want to forget that it is there and not have that be what defines them) For example, people in wheelchairs do not want to be known as " that guy in the wheelchair" because it reduces them to be identified by their condition rather than how everyone else is identified. It is like when you know no ones name but are trying to recall them, such as " that cute brunette with jean shorts" or "that tall guy in khakis" to help your remember and for people with disabilities, instead of thinking of them as you think of anyone else, it comes down to " that girl tin the wheelchair" or that guy with downs syndrome" instead and that can be quite disheartening for anyone to have that what defines them rather than just be like everyone else. That girl in the wheelchair, really just wants to be known as " that "cute blonde in the pink top" like anyone else would be identified. People do not often seem to realize that and do not look past their disability, or their race or something that happens to them and instead that is in their face all the time. Why would anyone want that to be what defines them instead?

I would think they would want to be known as Rebeca, Thomas, Rachel, Leroy, Yuri, or whatever their name is. You know not being identified by some singular minor trait, but by who they are as people.

"The black guy" doesn't want to be thought of like that, instead he would rather be thought of the same way you view anyone else. The issue with things like being " the black guy" is it affects every single aspect of their lives. Whether it is getting a job, trying to start a conversation on the bus, being pulled over, trying to ask a woman out on a date, hanging out with the guys after work.. it affects everything. Them pointing that out is one thing, but for others to hone in on that and focus on it is an entirely different situation for them. To recognize and acknowledge that there are issues is fine, when they bring it up, however, if you do not share that issue with them the best you an be is empathetic, but you could never understand what it is like to wake up with that issue every single day 24/7 for their entire lives, so yea it is better to just let them vent instead of pretending to begin to know what that is like.

You know I actually want to disagree with some of what you're saying. I do. But I think I'll prove a point, instead.


By your logic, that scene is horrible. I think it's hilarious and poignant.

Ridicule, insults and jokes have started many conflicts, and yes actual wars. Wars have started for many reasons even less than that..
http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/6-wars-fought-for-ridiculous-reasons
http://www.neatorama.com/2007/08/10/all-in-the-family-5-wars-waged-on-familial-insults/
http://414son.blogspot.com/2009/01/america-week-3-insults-that-led-to-war.html

The history of conflicts started over this in our Native American Oral traditions is ALSO part of why we are taught to be very mindful of our words, our stories of how these " harmless words" have led to tragedies is why we are taught to place great value on respect for one another and treat all things with respect. That lack of respect and being careless and disrespectful to all things is what has led to tremendous death and suffering in our past, and we are taught not to forget that. In the oral history of our tribe, insults and disrespect is what has led to vast majority of conflicts, not just a few.

This is straight up fear mongering. Yes, wars have started in part due to stupid reasons. That does not mean you or I should not make jokes. This is a ludicrous standpoint to make.

No that is not shameful to make you aware of these things, but failing to learn from our past very well could be considered shameful. Words are not as harmless as you have been led to believe.

It's one thing to learn from the past. It's another to live in it. And words are only as harmful as you let them be.

Treating people with respect is one thing. But saying that certain people should be exempt from jokes is NOT respecting those people. It's saying that you don't think they are able to handle jokes.

I really don't want to get any further in this debate with you. I disagree with you. It's obvious that neither of us will change the others mind. Let's agree to disagree and go our separate ways like mature adults.

I wasn't arguing for protected classes, I made that clear earlier in the thread:

People shouldn't be ridiculing or " making fun" of people in general, especially not due to their race, sexuality, disability or anything like that. Yes, people should treat others with respect by default. Yes, treat everyone like a special snowflake as default, especially until you get to know them better to understand whether or not you are being offensive to them. Now say your friend is laughing ridiculously sounding and their drink comes out their nose, that is something you can give them a bit of hell over, but it is situational. Making jokes about peoples race, gender sex or disability though isn't in good fun and is not even funny, it just makes you an asshole. The world could do with less assholes and more empathy.
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.942869-Poll-Which-Group-of-People-You-Should-Never-Make-Fun-Of#23790022

we are taught to place great value on respect for one another and treat all things with respect. That lack of respect and being careless and disrespectful to all things is what has led to tremendous death and suffering in our past, and we are taught not to forget that. In the oral history of our tribe, insults and disrespect is what has led to vast majority of conflicts, not just a few.

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.942869-Poll-Which-Group-of-People-You-Should-Never-Make-Fun-Of?page=2#23790835

Please show me where I am arguing for protected classes, because clearly I am not. There is no real reason to treat others like shit in the first place.

It isn't fear mongering when people actually DO kill themselves from being ridiculed. This is an issue that actually needs to be addressed.

http://www.businessinsider.com/humiliation-kills-the-wound-that-will-not-heal-for-men-2011-9
http://www.cobbk12.org/bully/ElemCCSD.pdf
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/hide-and-seek/201408/the-psychology-humiliation
https://www.quora.com/My-friend-committed-suicide-and-his-father-affirm-that-its-becaouse-of-my-laughter-and-ridicule-I-feel-sad-and-frightened-what-can-I-do
http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/bullying-and-suicide.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2172170/Brandon-Thomas-Student-20-commits-suicide-struggling-uncontrollable-blushing-years.html
http://www.cnn.com/US/9605/17/fatal.flaw/
http://www.dailydot.com/crime/teen-suicide-cops-facebook-joke/


If you do not know their name, how do you remember them? That is the issue they deal with in a public filled with people who do not know their name and the issue I was addressing since I clearly stated:
It is like when you know no ones name but are trying to recall them, Do you understand that would mean you wouldn't know their name? Would that mean you were just trying to name them instead?

No one is saying you shouldn't make jokes, just saying not to make jokes at another's expense. There are plenty of things that are actually funny that are NOT making fun of others. Hurtful =\= funny. Humiliating people isn't funny, and if people think that they have to humiliate others to " be funny" they really were not very funny to begin with.

It is not " living in the past" when people do still get killed for jokes even NOW. It isn't like people have suddenly cured the world of violence. Either way, why would we make fun of people when there is no real " need" to? I am not seeing the " good" that comes from ridiculing others.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/hyperviolent-drug-cartel-decaptiates-members-internet-chat-rooms-article-1.976359
http://komonews.com/news/local/charge-15-year-old-boy-killed-man-over-joke-in-des-moines
http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2016/07/16/pakistani-model-killed-after-ramadan-joke.html?via=desktop&source=copyurl

Again, I clearly stated it is a bad idea to do to anyone, We need more empathy than we need assholes.

 

[Dragonlayer]

Muslims, because they tend to be just a little bit sensitive about these matters.

Really, the important thing to remember is context. Tell anti-Semitic jokes around Jewish friends who understand you're taking the piss, not at the local Holocaust remembrance ceremony.

 

[Parasondox]

None... No one? It mostly depends on the individual. Some may have a very thick skin and some don't.

With jokes, there is always a line, a limit before it becomes an insult or personal attack/bullying. Saying "I'm gonna rape you in front of your children and then rape them", is clearly not a joke. That's nowhere near it but some "trolls" would send that comment to a celebrity or public official and say "I was only joking".

Just like with every action in life, there is always a line/limit that you shouldn't cross. You just need to know what it is and don't attempt to step over it.

 

[Parasondox]

Muslims, because they tend to be just a little bit sensitive about these matters.

Really, the important thing to remember is context. Tell anti-Semitic jokes around Jewish friends who understand you're taking the piss, not at the local Holocaust remembrance ceremony.

Once again its done to that line/limit that don't cross. And as you just mentioned, its about the time and place too. With the last cases of child abuse accusations surrounding the BBC and past UK government officials, you rarely hear jokes towards the alleged victims of sad abuse. Its a sensitive and serious matter at the moment.

And the whole Muslim sensitive thing, once again it depends on the individual. Four Lion is a small british comedy movie which makes fun of home grown radicals who were too stupid to carry out an attack. Some of those who were Muslim found it funny because it showcased the stupidity of these guys. Others of course found it distasteful. Its all on the individuals perspective.

And speaking of individuals, they can feel sensitive about a subject that they will deem off limits. That's perfectly fine. We all have shit we dont wish to be made fun. WE ALL DO! This just may get a bit hostile for the person making the joke if the individual being offended, seek out an audience to firstly validate their offence and secondly but rarely, create a backlash towards the joke teller.

Then shit may hit the fan.

 

[one squirrel]

If the "Black Olives Matter" kerfuffle is anything to go by, you are certainly not allowed to make fun of BLM.

 

[Smithnikov_v1legacy]

Gamers. They'll throw an internet hissy fit the likes of which rarely seen when any other group is made fun of.

On a slightly more serious note, it's less about who "you should never make fun of" and more about how people should learn how to actually tell jokes. So much internet humour is "Look at this offensive thing I said! YOU TRIGGERED?" ... and that was literally never funny. I'm sure there's a right way to make a joke about almost anything, but so many people are offended when their bad humour results in people rightfully telling them they suck.

EDIT: Oh, and for funsies, I'm voting "you should never make fun of anyone". Partially because it's just nice and partially because I'm an evil SJW.

No, no, no, you're supposed to laugh at EVERY insult and slur being thrown! If you don't, you're a special snowflake SJW with no sense of humor! Isn't that the law now?

 

[Smithnikov_v1legacy]

I believe comedy means no one is off-limits. There is a difference between satire, parody, and straight up viciousness with intent to harm.
A great example is the Rob Lowe Roast of Ann Coulter. Like the woman or not, what those people did was wrong. I'm not a fan of hers, but I also don't hate the woman, but even if I did I'd never stoop to that level. In my opinion it brought down the entire point of the Comedy Roast. Absolutely low.

Nothing they said is even CLOSE to the level of venom she's leveled at scores of people. She's called for outright assassinations and assault of people she disagrees with.

 

[Smithnikov_v1legacy]

If you say so. I don't keep up with the rules of what makes you an SJW any more. I figured I had earned my lifetime membership by wanting more and better female characters in video games.

If you ever get a pamphlet on the updated rules, will you send me a copy please?

I need to see if I'm still one based on my playing of State of Decay.

 

[Satinavian]

"Making fun" and "Insulting" are different things.

The former is about humor, the latter is a complaint and an act of hostility.

Yes, there is a huge overlap and "making fun of" is understood as both elements being present. But all reasons not to make fun of someone are about the insult part, not the humor part.

Well, are insults universally bad ? I don't think so. Acts of hostility have their place in conflicts. And while it is true, that conflicts can escalate from insults to physical violence and even war, they can also deescalate from physical violence to mere words. Declaring hostility and giving the reason for it is also a nice combined feature of an insult. Insults are important and no one should never be targeted.



Now, insults based on "race" are a statement that you see yourself in a conflict with a "race". That is why they tend to be seen as both stupid and racist. The same is true for most other target groups whom to insult is seen as a bad taste. But that doesn't mean that no member of any of those groups should not be insulted, especially along the lines of other, more sensible conflicts.