Why is it acceptable to make fun of some races and not others?

Question

For example, it is often the case that newspapers will print a batch of jokes about the French or about the Germans if something relating to them occurs in the news and that is considered to be fine. However if someone tells a joke about Pakistanis then it is generally called racist. Why is this? Do the Pakistanis not have a sense of humour?

Answer 1

I was discussing this the other day actually. It's a very weird situation but I think it's because tensions are a little bit too high at the moment between the western and muslim worlds and everyone's a little too sensitive. The British sense of humour is very self-deprecating and can be quite cutting but this doesn't seem to transcend to being able to joke about Islam because of all the political correctness that is continually thrown around. But then, plenty of Asian comics take the mickey out of themselves and their culture(s) just now - maybe it's the same as when Richard Prior joked about African Americans in the 70s while white comics, generally, shyed away from the area because it was just too controversial? I don't know if this has answered anything - it's really just my meanderings and wonderings!

Answer 2

You're talking about nationalities, not races (although some claim that nationalism is a form of racism, go figure). And some jokes are less acceptable than others, and some people can't take a joke, but this is not limited to specific nationalities or races.

Ok, I don't know any jokes about Pakistani, I can ask one of my collegaes (born in Pakistan, and with a good sense of humour), so maybe someday I'll know some. But I am Dutch and I can tell you a joke about us, usually told by Belgians, but British will also understand it, since they invented the term "Going Dutch"

How was copperwire invented?

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Any idea?

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No?

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Two Dutchmen were fighting over a cent.

Answer 3

It is never acceptable to make fun of any other race if you are doing so with malicious intent.

One thing you have to remember though is that the French and German (using your example) are predominantly caucasian and relatively wealthy in conparison to Pakistan and therefore can appear to be 'picking on them'.

The world now is horribly stuck on the idea of political correctness - some people don't understand that a joke can be completely harmless, but other people aren't trying to be funny, they're trying to hurt. Everybody to some extent has a sense of humour, but sometimes there isn't anything good to laugh at.

Lx

Answer 4

It's because some races are more sensitive about their nationality and colour, and we should not cause them offence. You can't change peoples' nature and traditions. However, many Pakistanis and coloured folk have been in our Country long enough to become accustomed to our humour, and they join in our fun, to the point of enjoying jokes against themselves, such as when we imitate their accent. There is some fun-making that goes "beyond the pale", that Christians like myself find objectionable, so it's not just a matter of race and colour.

Answer 5

Dear Xfilian1!
I'm a proud Pakistani.
We Pakistanis don't mind any joke about the nation but my dear if it is about the religion Islam, then it is against the Law of Allah Almighty. Even Muslims are ordered not to humiliate other religions and humanity. Muslims never harm other till the time they are not Harmed by the opponent. Read the history care fully. So make fun of races, you are welcome but don't make fun of Religions i.e. Islam, Christianinty, Jewish etc.
Here is a joke about Pakistani Dr: -
3 doctors were sitting together, 1 was American, 1 was British and 1 was Pakistani.
Ameican dr said," In USA a baby was born without arms, our big doctors fixed new arms with his body, and later he became Boxing Champ of USA''.
British dr said," In UK a baby was born without legs, our big doctors fixed new legs with his body, and later he became Best Runner and Athlete of UK''.
Pakistani dr started thinking what should he tell, suudenly he spoke," Just nothing had happened in your countries. You know In Pak a baby was born without head, a quak doctors fixed a water melon on his body, and later he became Prim Minister''.

Are you OK now, no Pakistani will mind such kind of joke my dear, but don't make fun of our religion.

Answer 6

It is not exactly acceptable to 'make fun' if it is malicious or incites hatred.

Humour is acceptable as long as it does not become racist. Legally the boundaries are very blurred which is exactly why there has been such a huge debate about freedom of expression with the latest religious hatred bill.

See the following articles for more info

Answer 7

Whether it's Germans, French or anyone, no one has the right to hurt somebody faith and beliefs. As long as the joke is not about your faith, it's fine. You can call me a white trash, I wouldn't mind. The Pakistanis should also take jokes. If not, they should learn how to do that.

Answer 8

Because some have a sense of humour and can take a joke as a joke.Some races and religions have a problem with having a laugh..

Answer 9

because we are being forced to be so politically correct that this in its self is a joke! people should be able to just laugh at themselves once in a while and if they can't then be prepared to be ridiculed even more. We all have traits of our race/religion that can come across as being funny so live with it, if we were all perfect it would be a pretty dull world to live in!!

Answer 10

cos its not racism if its against a white person lol its revenge! without sounding bigotted, the type of person with the quietest voice in this whole world is the white male. every revolution or uprising has taken a little bit more away each time. people over look white men in racism (against) but to be honesty i dont think we actually give a ****