Are Racist and Sexist jokes ok if they are used purely in a joking manner?

[blank0000]

You have to be aware of what your saying and how it reflects on you, on a basic level YES you have free speech, you have the right to make comments and jokes.

BUT , you should know how this reflects upon you. I KNOW that I've made and will continue to make light jokes about race and gender and such. However I try to keep in mind that no matter how much I deny my agreement with the joke/jest i'm still SAYING IT, and that means it's still going to reflect upon me. So in short, I don't make a joke if I don't understand what I'm actually saying. I try my best to avoid using the "oh I didn't really mean it, you know im just mocking that mentality right?" response, because I think on some level people use that as a shield. Think to anyone whose ever said they've done something "ironically". Say, ironically watching a bad movie. The movie is still being viewed, and the producers are still getting a cut of those profits, and chances are you actually like the film, why else would you pay money to rent/see it?


IT all goes back to a persons personal views. I just think you get more mileage out of a joke if it's honest. I generally find a better joke that I don't have to play off as ironic, and I prefer it that way.

 

[Walter Sobchak]

You should be able to joke about anything

 

[xdom125x]

It is all about context and intent.

Also, I happened to actually laugh out loud at your joke, but then I felt bad about it.

 

[pspman45]

unless you are making the joke to a member of the subject matter that is being joked about

 

[gbemery]

As long as no one gets offended

well then that is a slippery slope of context if I ever saw it. In this world you could say "hello" and someone will get offended. Hell you don't have to say anything and someone will get offended. But i think I understand what you meant and as long as no one in the immediate area and affected by the joke were offended right?

 

[Jabberwock xeno]

Depends on who you are around.

Some poeple will get that it's just a joke and accept that, others.... not so much.

 

[joshthor]

people are way to up in arms about race. its dumb. its purely the color of your skin, sex is purely what genitalia you happen to own (and because of modern medical technology) at the time.

im part mexican. i make racist mexican jokes all the time. i also make jokes about women around my women freinds just to tease them. if its in jest it is fun and games and nothing else.

one thing you should be careful about is time and place and audiance for those jokes. if your a group of four white kids making jokes about black people in the middle of a mall or something you will come off as racist to those who dont know you.

 

[xmbts]

It's a matter of tact, but I think it's good to be able to make fun of the ignorant thoughts that used to be commonplace.

 

[LikeDustInTheWind]

How many feminists does it take to change a lightbulb?

None! They can't change anything!

Now tell me, did that joke hurt anyone? Will there be any lasting consequences? Sure, a feminist or two might be a bit mad but it really isn't that bad. It's just a joke and as long as you're not trying to be an asshole it's fine.

 

[tholomew92]

As long as it is in jest and everyone that hears it or reads it is completely understanding of the fact that it is a joke. If we can't joke about stuff we will never be able to move past it is my personal opinion. Although you should never that things to far.

 

[Rusty pumpkin]

Depends. I know people who find it offensive to make a joke aimed at anyone of any description, and I myself can take a joke I'm the butt of assuming it's in good fun.

 

[Caverat]

Jokes are just jokes, harmless until some douche bag over-reacts to them and sacrifices a little bit of fun on the altar of political correctness and self-righteousness.

 

[Silent Anima]

If you're telling a ****** joke while wearing a pointy white hood and lighting a cross afire...well, that's probably crossing the line...

WHAT!?! Your telling me that's a bad thing!? Shit. lol jk But yes, depending on your audience, it is ok. People nowadays are usually less prudish and even me and my friends (some of them black) like to joke with each other that all black people know each other, which they even agree to (the black ones I mean) y'know that old stereotype. In some cases it's proven to be true lol

 

[Biodeamon]

yes but only in a complete 100% joke.

 

[icame]

It really depends on the joke. There are jokes like in Get Him To The Greek where a black charecters says "You can't outrun me, I'm black!" which I think are fine, because they are funny and harmless. It is very easy to go to far when using a racist/sexist joke though...

 

[blankedboy]

Well yeah, it's a joke. Who cares? As long as they're not being a dick about it.

 

[Tibs]

If it is not offending to anyone hearing it or gives a poor impression on people then I dont think it is wrong.

OH and if it is REALLY meant as a joke.

 

[Silent Anima]

It really depends on the joke. There are jokes like in Get Him To The Greek where a black charecters says "You can't outrun me, I'm black!" which I think are fine, because they are funny and harmless. It is very easy to go to far when using a racist/sexist joke though...

They should have jumped into a pool lol As long as we are on the subject

 

[LordSnakeEyes]

It's all okay without bad intent.
But beware, more ignorant folk without the capacity to understand tone may misunderstand and make you look bad.

 

[LausDeoSemper]

I think so, I don't see the harm in it.
If I'm around a mate it can offend though I will ask if he/she is ok with it.
If it is meant to offend the person then no, just don't say it.