lately, it has seemed to me like all my friends do is tell a bunch of racist and homophobic jokes. recently, i had a few if them over at my place and they started right in with the "what do you call a blah blah blah who blah blah blah's" jokes. So i got really fed up and told them to cut the crap because the jokes offended me (even though i dont belong to any of the groups they were referring to), but they wouldnt listen. then, today, one of "friends", actually had to audacity to tell me to "chill out on the anti-racism" cause it was "way too much". was i really over-reacting when i got mad at them for telling offensive jokes (in my house, no less?)
now i realise that i have had a MUCH more liberal upbringing (can you say hippie kid?) than a lot of the people i know, and frankly i was pretty naive on the whole subject of racial/religious/sexual prejudice til about middle school because i just assumed that "people didnt do that anymore". but i still feel like any jokes like that, whether "serious" or not, impede the total acceptance of of people who are different than we are into our cultures. what do you think i shoudl have done?
I don't think that you were overreacting at all. You were simply standing up for what you believe in. I am a white girl college student and i am getting my degree in sociology and I am specializing in racial issues so this affects me all the time. I am in a sorority which is made up of majority of conservative upper class whites which doesn't describe me at all but they are my good friends and every day I have to ask them to not say certain things. As the days go on they tend to not say certain things around me cause they know it really upsets me. I believe strongly in getting rid of racism and it has to start with me telling people how i feel and helping them to realize that they are wrong. And it is very hard but if you are truly passionate about it, you have to stick up for what is right. It makes me very happy to hear that other people are like this too
i'm not racist or anything but i can laugh at myself i love watching MadTV which makes lots or racial jokes but i laugh at it but there is a limit if the only jokes you tell are racist or you believe them then you've crossed the line
First, it was simply a question. No need to take offense. Second, "culturalist" is not a word. It doesn't even make sense in the given context. Since a "multiculturalist" is someone who supports cultural diversity and a "monoculturalist" is someone who supports a single, unified culture, a "culturalist" would then be someone who supports culture in general. Hardly an insulting thing, wouldn't you agree?
Originally posted by cmcrede: I mean I'm not racist and I'm obviously not homophobic (that would be strange) but I still tell the jokes. I've even told black jokes to friends of mine who're black. Its a matter of intent. I don't tell jokes to hurt, I tell the jokes to entertain. Its all good fun. If I don't mean it whats the harm? Also, stereotypes are often based on truths.
Agreed.
quote:
Racist Jokes are an important part in some peoples culture, so just show a little Tollerance for other cultures! Its offencive when you say to me to stop this cultural ritual.
Racist Jokes are an important part in some peoples culture, so just show a little Tollerance for other cultures! Its offencive when you say to me to stop this cultural ritual.
My mind follows this logic. Racist jokes and other jokes that are considered as insulting are based on stereoypes. Now, whether we like it or not, stereotypes are based on some form of common truth. I'm not trying to justify or say its right, I'm just telling it like I see it. Trust me, I have had jokes at my expense and I've been humiliated.
The other thing is a matter of intent. If you tell a joke to be funny and not insult anyone thats fine. Look at the stad up comedians that use it, but are just being funny and not trying to hurt anyone. If you're trying to pu someone down, then yeah, I will get upset. Once again I'm not saying its right, I'm just saying it like I see it.
"I'm loosing my mind!" That's right. I'm going to set it free and let it run around on its own for awhile...
No sense I don't think its going to stop Racism. I just think its futile to attempt to stop something is part of human nature. Racism(Ethnocentrism) has existed in every culture throughout history. There are laws that protect people from the most malicious aspects of Racism. But in the end Racism will exist as long as different Races exist. Period the end.
I mean I'm not racist and I'm obviously not homophobic (that would be strange) but I still tell the jokes. I've even told black jokes to friends of mine who're black. Its a matter of intent. I don't tell jokes to hurt, I tell the jokes to entertain. Its all good fun. If I don't mean it whats the harm? Also, stereotypes are often based on truths.
"Sanity is not statistical." ~ 1984 (A book that everyone should read)
Yes, I would ask my friends to stop making jokes that offended people of other races. I also would say if you were really my friend you would take other peoples feelings into consideration. In addition, if they could not respect your feelings I would probably stop hanging around them.
Honey I think it's completely wonderful that you stand up for what you believe in/feel comfortable with. Personally I tell racist jokes and homophobic jokes all the time. I usually stick to anti-semitic jokes and gay jokes. Why you'd ask? Because I'm a gay Jew and I have the right. I think people are too sensitive about racist jokes when they're meant to break racist stereotypes. That being said it's all about who's telling the joke, their views on racism, and their tone of voice. It's a completely personal call. For me it would completely depend on the situation and on the tone of the jokes more than the jokes themselves.
racism is just that racism. How will people expect it to cease if it is taken lightly and as a joke? I mean personally i think you were on the right about having them to stop the racist comments.Some people just do not listen.
"They say its a cold world out there [ i felt the breeze ] ...I'm just trying to make it warmer " -Shapel.�
I agree completely but I do catch myself saying something people would consider rascists but keyword I catch myself most people just shrug it off and go about there business. I think their are two types of people out there- people who attempt to change and the second group are so stuck in their ways they don't bother to try because they see nothing wrong with their current behavior.I'm learning that instead of saying yea look at that white girl to just say look at that girl because I have a horrible habit of incorporating race when it's not relevant to whatever's being discussed. And I think it's your right advise people against saying certain things in your residence. It's your home if you feel certain things are offensive and inappropriate it's your peroggative to tell them to stop.
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