Why does it seem acceptable in the media...?

Question

...to make jokes on white people? I'm all up for racial equality but that implies respect among all races. I understand that there is a lot of recentment in 'some' black people towards white people and I sympathise but I think that having beliefs like "white people can't dance" stereotyping white people like we're all the same is n't going to help overcome the racial barrier but instead create more separation. I've seen this in R Kelly's video 'Remix to Ignition' where he mocks this white guy for his dance moves (which were intentionally made to look stupid), and I've seen stereotyping in movies such as white chicks. I think the day all races consider one another as individual human beings with their own talents and skills which (like in the case of dancing) may vary in style among different cultures, then that will result in more unity. What are people's opinions on this? Btw, this question was intended as a healthy debate not to provoke rude or derogatory comments in the discussion.

Answer 1

I get frustrated and offended by the white stereotypes. We have all heard or seen jokes about how white people can't dance and white people don't have rhythm, so how is it even possible that joking about it could still be funny? But people still allow racism like this to go on because they think we should still be paying for how "we've" treated black people in the past, sort of like, "Who are we to complain?"

When is this going to stop?

p.s. I saw a comedian on HBO the other night...Katt something. He was funny! He made jokes about white people, black people, and Hispanics. But he didn't make fun of dance moves, though he did bring it up.

Answer 2

I think racial jokes are acceptable, but it depends on what the joke consist of. I think it's funny when you joke about stereotypes, because I know they aren't real and they need to be made fun of. I mean, I've seen white comics make fun of black stereotypes and was dying laughing. Because to ME they show just how ridiculous the stereotypes are. I think there is a time for jokes and I think there is a time for seriousness. I think that's why I use to like MAD TV. They made fun of all the ignorant stereotypes of everybody.

Answer 3

I don't have an answer, but I wanted to say that I see clearly that you want a healthy debate and I hope no one's stupid enough to turn this into some sort of bash fest.

OK, how about I *try* to answer your question LOL! I think there's a reason for *many* stereotypes (but obviously not all). Let's see if I can explain.

Stereotypes with some basis in truths based on observations:

White people can't dance - OK, obviously that's not true because just look at John Travolta ;) However, I think it might be a truer statement to say "White people in general don't dance as passionately as other racial groups." This may be a cultural thing. It's also changing as economic disparities begin to encompass more whites and lead them into more traditionally low income/racially colorful neighborhoods. Whites have generally, per capita, had more money than minorities. For whatever reason, I have noticed that the more money people have the less interested they are in "letting it all hang out" - and great rythmic dancing requires just that. I mean seriously, can you imagine Bill Clinton or George Bush in a groove contest with someone like Ludacris? Even if they were 40 years younger and existing today? Er, no. In this instance, saying "white people can't dance," is a slam at the wealthier groups that don't take time for the "real things." (you'll see in a bit that most stereotypes are based on fear, jealousy and other negative emotions). Anyway, that's my spitball there.

Irish twins: Based on siblings born 9-12 months apart and based on the idea that the Irish have too many children. Well, it's a rude connotation, that's for sure, but the Irish *do* tend to have children spaced pretty closely. Mainly because there's a large portion of the population that's Catholic, though. You could just as well call them Italian Twins, KWIM? But it is based in a fact and then presented in a derogatory manner. I don't know how old you are or how familiar you are with Irish history, but they were in a *bitter bitter bitter* struggle for independence from England (a *very* Protestant nation) - and oddly enough (or not) "Irish Twins" was largely coined in England.

A "Jewish Piano" used to describe a cash register: Again, it's used in a derogatory manner, but it does represent a small grain of truth - Jewish families tend to *TEND TO* develop family businesses that last for generations. Since retail is one of the main businesses for any racial/ethnic group, the families in this group oftentimes create, over the generations, very successful businesses which can grow to far more stores than the original one a family member started 100 years prior. These people treated their family businesses with the same love and respect that musicians do their instruments. Really, what's wrong with that? Jealousy and economic disparity, once again, makes people say terrible things about others.

Stereotypes with no basis in fact:

Blacks are genetically inferior: This is just plain mean. Just rude. Just untrue. And made up by people who couldn't handle the fact that society was progressing while they were stopped in the stone ages when it came to mentality.

Poor people are lazy: I'm sure that some poor people are lazy, just as people like Paris Hilton exist. However, this stereotype is used often by people who want to find an easy way to deal with a difficult problem - poverty. Poverty has many causes, probably the very *least* of which is laziness. Yeah, some poor people are lazy. But will making that small percentage of them not lazy create jobs for them to do? Er, no.

Women can't drive: OK, this one's "on the fence" of no basis in fact and a little basis in fact. Statistically speaking, women *do* have more fender benders than men. However, when it comes to the things that count - the things that cause injury - the things that cause thousands of dollars in damage - the things that cause death and destruction - those are largely LARGELY thanks to men. This is obviously a stereotype perpetrated by men because the "little woman" knocked the mirror off when she tried backing out of the garage. Funny how he failed to mention that Frank, Jr. killed a family of 4 when he got drunk and crossed the center line, eh? This is a stereotype perpetrated by male chauvinists who need to needle the women he sees as a threat to his job, his way of life and his government :)

Now, I've thought far too much for the evening and a glass of wine is calling (let the stereotyping of me begin!!!)

Great question!

ADDED: I'm sorry, I missed the point LOL - or maybe I didn't - what it boils down to is that stereotypes are, by definition, divisive. Asking for an end to stereotypes is like asking for world peace. It's a beautiful ending to a tortured story, but unfortunately these stereotypes become a defense mechanism and a way to *keep* people intentionally divided. There's a method to the madness.

Answer 4

It's possible that white people are basically paying a karmic debt, socially, for their attitudes toward people of color. After all, it didn't end in the '50's. There is still a huge degree of racism out there on the part of white society. It's not always based upon hate; it's often based upon misconceptions and plain old ignorance. Some white folks can have the best of intentions toward other races, but can still put their foot in it due to ignorance.

Answer 5

I agree and the best way to stop the media is to not only be vocal about it, but to stop buying media products that carry discriminatory messages. Don't buy the CDs and DVDs, don't watch the TV stations and tell them why. Anytime you can add financial impact to your voice the more likely the media or any other corporation will be inclined to change their programming and content.

Answer 6

Get over it, a couple of white jokes never killed anyone. Learn to laugh at yourself.