Tongue-in-cheek racism

[B.Basher]

Hello all.

I've noticed this increasing acceptance of tongue-in-cheek racism in modern times recently. So called 'offensive' comedies like South Park, Drawn Together and Family Guy are all funny because the apparent bigoted and racist humour is always tongue-in-cheek, ie. It's funny because the notion of racism is so ridiculous and ignorant.

I'm just wondering, is this really a good thing? On one hand we're finally able to take a step back and laugh at how we humans can be so pathetic with our isolated ideals and views. On the other hand, we're laughing at racism.

Partly the reason I bring this up is because me and my uni squad are kinda guilty ourselves. 'Jew face' is one of our most frequently used "joking insults" (mostly exchanged during our Call of Duty 3 battles). It's funny to us because we don't even know any jews, nor are we anti-semite. It's a completely soulless insult.

What do you guys think of the subject? I find the supposedly racist humour of Drawn Together and South Park absolutely hilarious, yet I consider myself baron of any racial prejudices. Is this hypocrisy? I know i'm not the only one.

Cheers.

[dusto2k3]

I do the same kinda thing. My friend is a little stingy so we call him the rabbi. Also, when someone is "crazy" or a little too aggressive about a particular subject, they'd be referred to as a nazi...a little too into something, hahaha, i got a warning cuz i called someone here a nazi cuz the guy is a little crazy about some political subjects and i got a warning. But in all, there is no offense meant to be, its just they share some of the same traits... stereotypes been the subjuect of comics for a long time.good or bad. Chappelle makes a living mocking black people. Mencia makes a living making fun of mecxicans.

[Weedhound]

Could go both ways to me. On one hand I do agree that is it is an insult....back-handed is absolutely the correct way to put it ---but an insult none the less. I'm not sure there is any malice in what you guys say.....sounds like habit or you learned it from someone else. I bet if you guys were to meet a jewish person and they became reality to you those jokes would stop....you'd simply find some other name or something else to say because of the lack of malice.

Sometimes the fiip side gets to me these days.....political correctness where no matter what you say (innocently or not) it's taken as an insult. You can even see the same sort of attitude sometimes on these boards. I said something to one person and even started my sentence saying "I am not kidding here..." and sure enough they wrote back with..."I'm still not sure if you're joking or not.." I think everyone is a bit too paranoid.

[dusto2k3]

Well, from my point of view, living in a place like San Diego, with sooooooo much racial diversity, it's hard to have hate for other races. When you live with others, you see that they are just trying to put food on the table and a roof over their head. I live in a town where they are trying to make you prove citizenship before you will be able to rent a apartment. This is hell for all the migrant workers here.

One thing that I find funny is that I'm white and 28 and in all those years, I have never dated inside my race.

[Plastic Jesus]

Certain races LOVE to feed into stereotypes, and then they wonder why everyone hates them... One of the biggest reasons Racism will never die.

[thecreator]

Plastic Jesus your so right and not just bc of your plasticky goodness! Hey everybody im high. Oh and good thread :cool:

[Podge_Boro]

racism is used all the time, everywhere
i dont like to admit it, but i laugh at racism when its used in things such as south park
its just funny
and round where i live, and even myself, have been called a black bastard (im white) lots of people get called that, especially police
its just strange

but this is a good topic

[delusionsofNORMALity]

racism is just an example of people's natural distrust of anything different from themselves. it is only an outward manifestation of our ignorance of how much the same all people are and, as such, it is harmless unless nurtured into hatred. this kind of distrust seems to be linked to some sort of survival instinct and, once the perceived difference is shown to be nonexistent, it fades away with understanding. by laughing at bigotry we are laughing at that part of ourselves that is wary of those we see as different and that laughter has a cleansing effect. if we can laugh at something then it doesn't seem so important and it is easier to dispose of.

[Breukelen advocaat]

Comedy based on racial issues is old, and boring. Its just a way for bad comedians to get a cheap laugh.

On another note, almost every night David Letterman, which is filmed in New York City, makes jokes about "hookers" in the streets of New York. This is funny to the tourists in the audience, and much of middle America, but it just sounds stupid to New Yorkers because there are virtually no streetwalkers in Manhattan. He does similar routines about crime here, and we're the safest large city in America, but the jokes apparently fly in some of the homes in the U.S., where they don't know any better. It's the other side of the coin as compared to the "Redneck" comedians - another "we're only trying to make you laugh at yourselves" bunch of assholes.

It's just the same old thing, over and over. If these routines were creative and funny in the first place, I wouldn't mind - but they were not.

I can watch Laurel and Hardy, the Marx Brothers, W.C. Fields, the Honeymooners, even the Three Stooges, and they are still entertaining, and often hilarious. I wish that we had some talent like that today.

[Pipe Dreams]

Aight, in TV shows, the whole point of the show is to make fun of shit like racism, therefore, its OK to laugh at it, mmmkay?

But really, racism is funny.

[JaggedEdge]

Despite the flack George Lopez has been recieving lately, he made a good point in one of his shows.

He said if you are afraid to tell a joke to the group of people the joke is about, you should never tell the joke at all.

[Reefer Rogue]

It's funny on south park and chappeles show, that's all i'll say.

[SonicBloom]

I think the real question here is, "is it ok to laugh at people more stupid than you?" The answer is yes.

[fasterspider]

I think the real question here is, "is it ok to laugh at people more stupid than you?" The answer is yes.
I say yes also because they are too stupid to realize they are being laughed at.

[Skink]

edge pushing!!! how much can we get away with... I thought SP sucked because of it... it's not right in gest as well as it's not right literally..

[halfassedjediknight]

Well, from my point of view, living in a place like San Diego, with sooooooo much racial diversity, it's hard to have hate for other races. When you live with others, you see that they are just trying to put food on the table and a roof over their head. I live in a town where they are trying to make you prove citizenship before you will be able to rent a apartment. This is hell for all the migrant workers here.

One thing that I find funny is that I'm white and 28 and in all those years, I have never dated inside my race.

i live in san diego and theres plenty of racist bros who hate afroamericans and jews. especially in east county.

i think the diversity almost gives them the ammunition...or moreover, the plentiful 'targets' to give into racial slurs and comments.

i wouldnt know anymore though, im caucasion but im partly jewish.

[halfassedjediknight]

When I play online games, I'm constantly spewing insults at the opposing team. I've used racial slurs. I don't do it because I'm racist, I do it because it pisses off the other team and they start to suck. :D

when people do this to me in call of duty 3, i get pissed and mess them up even more than i already was.

its almost like the militarys whole talk shit and they will produce results type of thing.

but some people, it takes their focus off and yeah it could work to your advantage.

[Runaway Jim]

If any of you were to say jew face to me, I'd call you bloody face. If you catch my drift.
Nah im not innocent, i call people the N word all the time, never seriously though, even black kids, just fucking around.
Racism wont ever stop, its been going on since the beginning of time, its how the primate brain operates at this point.
No sensitivity class is going to tell me otherwise.
Good day to you, sir.

[Skrappie]

The lesson that the avearage canna.com member seems to be sending to me, is that it is okay to laugh at other people, as long as you're not the one offended.

[halfassedjediknight]

youre never going to get one unified answer for such a philosophical and ethical question. everyone has their own views and opinions.

[JaMakin07]

ive come up with an assertion on this subject:
malice is very contingent with offense these days

im black btw

[higher4hockey]

people get offended way too easily these days about stupid shit. i like to see shows like south park and family try to push the envelope. if you're offended by tv shows like south park and family guy, i really don't know what to tell you, if your tv offends you with cartoons, good luck in the real world.

[Podge_Boro]

in my opinion, id say its ok for a white person to say the 'N' word, aslong as they dont use it offenceively
and also it works the other way,
if someone called me a cracka or a whiteboy or somethin
i wouldnt really care
id probably just say sup n***a or somethin like that

but i only say things like that with a friendly tone
and just with my friends who know im kidding when i say it

if i ever thought that someone was takin offence,
id stop straight away cos i wouldnt want to disrespect them

[Plastic Jesus]

Dave Chappelle even says "I love black people, but I hate *****s!"

[Gatekeeper777]

We had a very funny and thought provoking TV program that delt with racism in my day it was called "All in the family" it is now on nick at night.
watch how they delt with the issue in the 1970's. shows like south park are only "Johnny come lately's"

[halfassedjediknight]

We had a very funny and thought provoking TV program that delt with racism in my day it was called "All in the family" it is now on nick at night.
watch how they delt with the issue in the 1970's. shows like south park are only "Johnny come lately's"

i watched it when i was little. funny ass show

[Reefer Rogue]

when people do this to me in call of duty 3, i get pissed and mess them up even more than i already was.

its almost like the militarys whole talk shit and they will produce results type of thing.

but some people, it takes their focus off and yeah it could work to your advantage.

COD3 for the 360?

I love that game and i'm ownage at it.

What's your GT?

Add me: Mothers Finest

[halfassedjediknight]

COD3 for the 360?

I love that game and i'm ownage at it.

What's your GT?

Add me: Mothers Finest

yes for 360. best game ever! gears of war is fun too.

i think my gt was bongafett420 or something but i cancelled my xbox live account. when i reopen it well get our game on dude!