Fake Alias

Well first of all I do not think of myself racist in any way. I support multiculturalism and different ethnic groups, however my friend told me some jokes the other day that were the funniest thing Ive ever heard. If I laugh at a joke that makes fun of a black or jewish person, even though I do not believe any of it, or would never repeate it, is it still wrong? Should jokes of this nature be thought of as simply a joke (even between two good friends), or is racism too serious to be joking around abuot such issues? Please dont think of me as a jerk, I just want your honest opinion of this is acceptable or discriminatory.

butthead

No harm, no foul.

Heh, "aids is finally okay to joke about!"

Gebbinn

Actually, I dont think there is anything wrong with them. I am not prejudice against any race color creed or religion, however I am prejudice about attitude. If you act like a hoodlum, then I dont like you kinda thing.

But on to the subject.. some of the funniest racial jokes I have ever heard were told to me by a colored friend, a lesbian told me the funniest lesbian joke I know, and I heard most of my blonde jokes from a blonde who fits about 90% of the jokes she told. So, if the people who are the butt of the joke are comfortable enough to tell the joke, why not laugh... Humor is the best medicine. Hell look at Jeff Foxworthy, he absolutely destroys rednecks (of which I consider myself one) with his lighthearted humor, so it must be ok

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Mondak

Wrong. They hurt people.

I was sitting in a hot tub a couple years ago near Mammoth California. This was a natural hot tub in the wilderness so that means there were no lights. It was a big tub and there were a lot of people in it drinking and telling stories. When the subject turned to jokes, one gal decided to tell the "how do you keep a N**** out of your backyard . . . " joke. My stomach was in my throat. I brought my friend Blair on the trip with me. He is black and he was hurt by the joke. She said she was sorry and could not tell in the light that he was black. The obvious question becomes: Is it then okay to tell those jokes when noone from the target audience is around? The answer is no. I felt like crap and decided no matter how funny they seem, there is never a time to tell those jokes where it is okay.

Just don't do it. Eventually the hurt people and you telling them just continues the idiocy.

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sadistikdreams

Mondak is right.

Something else is to be said, yet it escapes me.

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ninety09

Jokes are just jokes. If some people get offended, it's their problem.

butthead

That's not at all like telling them with your non-racist friends who are okay with it. Who is hurt then?

crow_daw

Naw, fuck that. Tell 'em if they're funny. If they're not, then don't.
I'm Southern, and I fucking LOVE redneck jokes, you just gotta have a sense of humor. People just need to get over it.


"Comedy isn't pretty." - Steve Martin

Truer words may've never been spoken.

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redravin40

My rule of thumb is that if the people telling the joke are black, gay, white trash, etc., they can make fun of themselves all they want.
I won't tell the jokes myself and I won't put up with it out of somebody who starts the joke with "I'm not racist but I heard this joke...."
If you're not racist then don't tell the joke.

bermuDa

if we can't laugh at ourselves (even if the joke is based on stereotypes we know are false), the world is doomed to political correctness.

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maddog30

looks like its too late

Soggybagel

In a somewhat humorous offbeat yet seemingly true article...head over here. http://maddox.xmission.com/racist.html

Basically though if you want to tell racist jokes tell them when you know they won't offend anyone within the current company. All depends ons situation and what not. Obviously they can be very hurtful so don't be some incredible dumbass about it.

Sleepyjack

racist jokes are generally superficial sterotypes and i agree with bermuda.

its a problem once you start to believe you're better than a race by belittling them.
Although theres always a line in your mind based on your own experiences etc when you can determine for yourself what is too far or too irrational.

MikeyChalupa

The company you're in has alot to do with it. And of course, your intent. But any time you start speaking about race, gender, religion, etc. in a joke, the potential exists to be taken the wrong way. Better to be safe than sorry and keep it to yourself unless you are ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that you will not be offending anyone.

Remember that blonde jokes that don't have to do with the subject being a slut USED to be Polish jokes.

-Mikey

rogue49

I don't like them, it doesn't make ME feel comfortable,
much less the people who are there or not.

Because in essense the joke is an insult.

There is too much bullshit in life already,
without adding to the mix.

warrrreagl

"Stranger in a Strange Land." The definition of humor was determined (by a Martian) to be a situation where somebody gets hurt. If somebody doesn't get hurt, it's just not funny. That's the way it is.

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Cynthetiq

okay, let's get some of these things straight...

you mean NO ONE here thought that Eddie Murphy's RAW was funny? Redd Foxx stereotypes of black lifestyle? Richard Pryor?Chris Rock?

Let's pick something that's not so controversial (read: black) Yakov Smirnoff talking about russians?

I'm sure that it's been like that from the beginning of time. People do funny things. People relate stories of those funny things. I remember someone doing a study on humor and found that each culture had their verson of stereotype jokes. Why? Because it's humor dealing with sterotype and difference. Plain and simple.

Truly the question isn't about race, but about what humor is. Is something funny only at the expense of someone else? I think I posted that in v.3 but don't remember any replies.

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XenuHubbard

Things can be funny even if it isn't at somebody's expense.
Personally I've been known to tell racist jokes - but only of they're aimed at people who are present, and who knows me.

I used to live in a house inhabited by an Australian, a South African, two Taiwanese people and a South Korean.
We all had dinner together, did shit together, and the rethoric in the house must've been more racist than anything. In the end, it comes down to your true feelings on the subject. If you tell jokes about blacks without any blacks present, you probably have some shifty feelings on the subject.

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Cynthetiq

share one...I've not heard one that wasn't corny, sophmoric, or childish. Even physical humor which is sidesplilttingly funny, is at the expense of the person who is "taking the fall"

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I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.

WhoaitsZ

ummmmmmmmm this is like the fourth thread on this subject........

i've changed my mind partially.

first off.... if you know someone may even possibly be offended and you do the joke anyway then yer pretty much a scumbag.

if you are hanging out with a white friend who is kinda racist and you join in on 'nigger' jokes or other, then you're a scumbag.

i have made racial, ethic, creed and disability jokes. i've never done one to harm and never out of hate. i think it is just one more reason to hate my fellow humans, if you do these things to harm others.

if you're on stage. if everyone knows you are doing and act and you are very tough then I think it is mostly cool for any jokes. instance:

Dave Chapelle use to serious piss me the fuck off cuz his stand up seemed so racists. but his show he makes fun of EVERYONE, including himself, and it does it to make people laugh. that's cool.

now when Chuck D says 'i just don't like white people', this is not okay. he's just a simple racist asshole who needs to be slapped.

GSRIDER

I place it with friends. I will rip the living hell out of a friend, insult his family, race, creed and religion... because he is a friend (some friend I am), and I expect him to do it back. And if my friend suddly is insulted well then he needs to drop his balls off at the pharmacy and get them refilled. Those are the boundries set. We are friends having fun and if my friend is black, white, gay or straight it doesn't matter, we let it all go.

But I'm not gonna go up to "johnny at the bar" and give him the same lines.

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shalafi

Im fat, part irish, catholic, and a geek and ill laugh at all those jokes if they are funny. Im not jewish, black/asian/latino/whatever, blonde, gay, or (insert other stereotyped group here) and ill laugh at those jokes just as much as the ones aimed at my group. no more, no less. It doesnt matter who a joke is about. If it amuses you then laugh at it and if it doesnt then dont. Someone (i dont remember who) once said "fuck em if they cant take a joke". someone else (i think it was the captain on lethal weapon) said "i know when to say i dont give a fuck". simple philosophies but give them a try and youll worry alot less and probably be alot happier.

Phaenx

My friends tend to never be offended by anything about race, so if one of them were offended, they would also be promptly beaten up and we would continuosly refer to them as a mangina for the rest of their life, all in jest of course. I see no use for tact where it is not needed, so if I hear a funny joke, I tell it, my friends do the same. We know this doesn't make us racists, if someone is offended by a friendly stranger, then they're in dire need to grow thicker skin.

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Fake Alias

Well I was watching TV the other night and Chris Rock was describing the difference between black people and 'nigers' and everyone in the audience was laughing. I dont understand why just because he is black, the jokes are acceptable.

Doesnt make sense.

World's King

So this Jew, a black guy, and a faggot walk into a bar...


That right there is funny in itself... I don't even need a punch line.


*Is just joking around and should not be taken seriously*

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MacGnG

when my black friends tell black jokes they are still funny. when i tell jewish jokes they are still funny. i dont think any gay ppl have told me any gay jokes, but they are still funny.

i'll simply say it depends on the company and the specific joke.

N**** jokes for example, sayin black guy isn't gonna make it any worse of a joke, and at least that way no one will be offended, the first word of the joke.

Geezuz

Personally....I DONT GET IT?

I don't believe it is OK to intentially offend and hurt "different" people by abusive blurting, but everyone is different...E V E R Y O N E! If I had an arm growing out of my ass.....yeah I'm sure someone would make a joke about it pretty quick!

I am so sick and tired of people, who FEEL like they need be offended by other poeple. If people Truthfully take PRIDE in their race, religion, so on and so forth, you would think it would be possible take a joke with a grain of salt....?

So what if a blonde thinks she'll have puppies if she does it doggy style! Im sure you've all seen plenty of brunettes getting "rodgered" by our four-legged-friends on the internet! - Tell me....who's gerbil is sleeping?

My point is that we all do stupid, funny shit...I've done more than my share...and if people wanna laugh at it...GOOD! It is the right way to live. Every war that has ever been fought has been a direct result of "Groups" not having the will to accept, understand, and laugh about our differences.

We are predjudice towards ourselves, and the ridiculous categories we place ourselves in. As long as we all live by this mentality, we will always be on the defensive!

Geezuz

Hmmmmm.....I guess I should also mention that I am a Heinz '57.

The freak result of a Multicultural Orgy!

WhoaitsZ

so. we all pretty much know all is good if we do not offend. cool.

kinda like cripple jokes. there's something about mary is my fave comey. ever. the jokes were funny and never made fun of the person with didease but the disease itself. i find cripple jokes funny.

now, if you call me too stupid to walk or insult me.... you will promptly get the shit kicked out of you by dozens of friends. then i'll peel out on your nutsack until it's ripped off.

-bow-

eyeronic

Here's a little rule I just made up:
If you would be ashamed or a-feared to tell the joke in front of it's butt, maybe you shouldn't tell it when the butt's not a-round.

Mmmmm... a-round butt...

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The_Dude

i only laugh when it is intended to be funny and there is no real feelings behind it

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hawkeye

I think that we all have to be able to laugh at each other, and ourselves, otherwise the whole world turns into a boring sucky place. I think that people take sterotype jokes way too seriously. I too am something of a heinz 57, and have heard many jokes about various peices of my heritage, but they never hurt me at all. I usually laugh at them and then go tell them to someone else.

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Cynthetiq

from the up coming broadway play Avenue Q:
(we know some of the cast and highly recommend seeing it if it comes to your neck of the woods!!!)



So here's part of the Avenue Q lesson plan, as performed by lead puppets Kate Monster and Princeton. Princeton asks Kate if she's related to their neighbor Trekkie Monster -- after all, they both have the same last name. But Kate takes offense: It's so racist to think that all monsters are related! It's just like saying all monsters look alike!

You're a little bit racist.
Well, you're a little bit too.
I guess we're both a little bit racist.
Admitting it is not an easy thing to do.
But I guess it's true.
Between me and you, I think...

Everyone's a little bit racist, sometimes
Doesn't mean we go around committing hate crimes.
Look around, and you will find
No one's really color-blind
Maybe it's a fact we all should fa-ace.
Everyone makes judgements...
Based on race.

You're a little bit racist... All right!
Bigotry has never been exclusively white.
If we all could just admit
That we are racist (a little bit)
Even though we all know that it's wro-ong
Maybe it would help us
Get along!

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I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.

MSD

The real question is, does she realize that she does?

a_divine_martyr

I don't think there's anything wrong with racist jokes, unless you say it with malice.

If you say a "nigger joke" in front of a black person but with no malice and you make yourself clear on it, then I don't see a problem.

If the person get's offended about a stupid stereotypical joke that he doesn't belong in, I think that person needs to get a reality check.

Maybe I'll elaborate tomorrow, too damn tired to think at the moment. Hehe. Gotta love 18 hours shifts. =\

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MacGnG

yea thats the idea

Loki

*shrug* laughing at and repeating these jokes enforces negative stereotypes of certain races/types.


And as for what constitutes bad taste... ask yourself this: would the joke be as funny if the target group was replaced with another group?

darksparkles

there's my take on it.
"i'm not racist, but..." goes along the same lines as "no offense, but..."

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CSflim

The way I see it is that if you are telling a joke, but don't mean to offend, then its up to you to make sure that it doesn't offend! In other words, I would only ever tell a racist joke to my friends, who will take it as that, and that only. They know I am not a racist, and I know they are not racists. We have a mutual understanding that the joke is....a joke!

Most "racist" jokes are simply about laughing at a stereotype, not actually laughing at the minority. I for one love "Irish man" jokes, even though I am irish. I also love black/gay/blonde/whatever jokes, but am not among those minorities.

We should try not to offend when we mean to be funny, but at the same time, it is also up to us not to get offended when someone else is trying to be funny. If you see something on tv, or hear somehting being said, that you feel is offensive, just get over it. accept the fact that you didn't find it funny and move on. You don't have the right to complain and demand that everyone else's fun be stopped.

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Donkeypuncher

borrowing from Denis Leary, "get a fucking helmet."

And a sense of humor while you're at it. I couldn't be much more sick and tired of our litigious, overly-P.C. society. Feelings get hurt once in a while. People die, too. It happens. If it's unintentional, apologies are in order and you move on. If it's intentional, you deal with that and... move on.

And WK - I wasn't sure before now but yeah, you da man. That made me laugh out loud.

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