flynnibus
Premium Member
Although we are far removed from it, I think it's worth noting that jokes and stereotypes of Natives (and Poles) helped to justify and give a pass to real-life discrimination and genocide.
That's a long skip from step 1 to step X... but certainly most people can tell the difference between humor and dehumanizing people.
Or.. people can tell the difference between humor and hate. Know where I heard the most pollock jokes? From my immigrant grandparents mocking their children's mistakes.Although you may be okay with a Pollock joke, my ancestors probably would not have appreciated being dehumanized and discriminated against. It may be fine to make jokes in your own private space, but for very public matters it's not acceptable anymore. Which is a good thing.
There is a difference between humor and ridicule... the problem is people have seemed to lost that and context and we get this hyper sensitivity that we are in now.. where words instead of intent are judged.
I agree, instead of dumbing ourselves down and trying to remove every reference that MIGHT POSSIBLY BE OFFENSIVE IF YOU SQUINT... we should actually be intelligent enough to understand things in context and take in all aspects, not just things in isolation.Again, we don't have to dumb ourselves down. We can be better and not need to offend others. You can be creative, funny, and respected all without being mean.