IF SOMEONE MAKES A RACIST COMMENT OR CHOICE, IS IT OK BECAUSE THEY TELL YOU THAT IT IS A JOKE?

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IF SOMEONE MAKES A RACIST COMMENT OR CHOICE, IS IT OK BECAUSE THEY TELL YOU THAT IT IS A JOKE?


[+] serious ballot by FiddleFaddleOnLSD
created Wed Jun 15, 05

First, this isn't about IS, Cranky or anyone else, so don't even start. I just don't have a lot of tolerance for what I perceive to be a racist comment or choice. Now, if I rate the person down, I get told "it was a joke" and other not so kind comments.

Am I supposed to take these things as jokes?

Some of you who know my background will understand why this is an issue with me.

You're too serious, lighten up
They aren't joke to everyone, so not a joke


Ballot #75287 : SEE RESULTS

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COMMENTS:
I believe that americans of western european decent are able to enjoy a good laugh at their own expense, where as others, depending on ethnicicity, are completely unable to find humor in anything that might remotely be poking fun at them and immediately scream racism. Unless of course it's Dave Chappelle, then suddenly it's okay, 'because he's black' which seems so completely ridiculous to me.

Now, with this said, I fully understand that there are some very hurtful things that happened, very hateful things, in the name of some of the words and comments that are now being passed off as 'humor', so I can see also where people come from who are offended.

But I also believe that it goes too far, that people are too thin skinned about when someone who is of one color says something while they let someone of the same background as themselves get away with saying the same things, that is quite hypocritical.

I do think Dave Chappelle is funny, but it is a really racist show.
by jappy on Wed Jun 15, 05 6:57pm [+]

Humor is relative, and what one person finds hilarious may sicken another. I can see your point, and that of the person who says, "It's just a joke."
by Truthseeker013 on Wed Jun 15, 05 7:11pm [+]

It may not be ok, but it's their right. It's also your right to not take kindly to their comments. Freedom of speech means sometimes people say things that you're not going to like, or agree with.

My motto on the matter is best summed up with this quote.."I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend, to the death, your right to say it." -Voltaire-
by malckdaddy on Wed Jun 15, 05 7:21pm [+]

I guess it depends on what they say. Some small jab that was meant to be funny, no problem.
by herzog on Wed Jun 15, 05 7:34pm [+]

tell them your rating was a joke too, so tell them to take it like a man. Then downrate him a few more times to make it funnier.
by LCD on Wed Jun 15, 05 8:09pm [+]

oh and I hate dave chapelle.
by LCD on Wed Jun 15, 05 8:10pm [+]

It depends... Depends on the ballot or who's ballot it is.. I'm always talkin black or even call myself a honkey.
by Dingleberry on Wed Jun 15, 05 11:03pm [+]

whatever, dingleberry, you cracka!
by jappy on Thu Jun 16, 05 12:58am [+]

I can't help thinking of that scene in 'Gentleman's Agreement' (w/Gregory Peck, made in the 1950s). The set-up is elaborate, so won't describe it here. Suffice to say that there was a joke made that wasn't so funny to one of the characters because, unbeknownst to the rest of the group, his race was the target.

Great film, get the DVD if you can.
by mojo on Thu Jun 16, 05 7:48am [+]

yeah sometimes saying it's just a joke works, but sometimes the intent was to be racist but try to get around the political correctness by saying it's a joke.

Most people can tell the difference, and hope those people who do try to cover their racism by putting it under joke category realize that.
by larrynelmira on Thu Jun 16, 05 8:00am [+]

I should have had people answer by race. That might have been rather interesting.
by FiddleFaddleOnLSD on Thu Jun 16, 05 10:01am [+]

While humour is relative, that excuse is commonly used as a cover/ excuse for biased attacks. If something is racist and hateful, it doesn't really matter if it was truly "meant as a joke," now, does it.
by Cathexis on Thu Jun 16, 05 10:50am [+]

as I said in another ballot, putting it under joke category does not make it right
by larrynelmira on Thu Jun 16, 05 10:56am [+]

If a "joke" offends somebody then its not really very funny is it. If indeed a statement is made in a "toungue in cheek" manner then that should be made clear on the original posting, or better still NOT said in the first place.
by minni_the_minx on Thu Jun 16, 05 3:25pm [+]

I make racist jokes on occasion -- it's not to judge; it's humor. I've made racist jokes around people of that particular race before -- they know it's a joke; they know I'm joking and that I'm not a bigot. It's different if the person truly is racist or doesn't know the people that he's telling the jokes to. That said, I watch my audience, and I've never had any problems.

Oh and I love Dave Chappelle.
by xxxxxxxx on Thu Jun 16, 05 4:46pm [+]

Racism in ANY form is intolerable, joking or otherwise. A racist joke inherently relies on some form of racist stereotype, suggesting that the joker and his laughing audience consider themselves superior in some way to that stereotype, whilst also believing that the stereotype has enough truth to be relevant to the humour.

Ergo, people who make racist jokes are racist to some degree, pure and simple. Its just their way of expressing their inbuilt hatred and sense of superiority.
by Leftist_Persuasion on Fri Jun 17, 05 8:53pm [+]

Ergo, I just got called a cracka!
by Dingleberry on Fri Jun 17, 05 10:22pm [+]






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