Am I racist?

Question

I am hispanic and my wife is white. I am always making jokes about hispanics, mi raza, mi gente, for example my hispanic neighboard first painted her wall then proceded to fix it. Isn't that backwards? I thought it was funny.

My wife always says that I am racist, I tell her that I joke about hispanics because I know how we behave. That is not racist from my point of view.

One thing I have learned though is not to joke with white people with hispanic humor. Example:

We were in a family reunion and my wife's grandmother asked me if I liked dogs? I answered " Yes, I loved them, they taste like chicken ", It has taken my wife more than 5 years just to start to understand my humor.
What do you think? I am racist against my people?

Answer 1

No, I don't think so.

Answer 2

Not at all, I do the same thing. I joke about all races, to tell you the truth, and none of my friends get offended (I have friends of all different races and I say the jokes in front of them). I make fun of my race all the time. It's only when people start getting all anal about being "politically correct" and not wanting to stereotype that they start getting offended by what you say. I think it's stupid though, and if you are just saying it jokingly, people should lighten up.

Do you like standup comedy? Most comedians that are not white joke a LOT about race. Even some white ones joke about race too. The popular show Mind of Mencia makes fun of every race nonstop.....and if a person were to take it seriously, they'd find it to be extremely offensive, but people that can take a joke know the show is just for laughs. It's not being racist, it's just pointing out observations to get some laughs.

I just want to add, some people get really uncomfortable when any kind of racial comment is made.....maybe your wife is like that.

Answer 3

I think some people are more sensitive than others, too sensitive.

You don't hold hatred to your people but it seems you are pointing out racial idiosyncrasies to break the ice in a humorous way. My Tongan friends often tell me jokes about Tongans and other Islanders - sometimes I laugh and sometimes I don't know how to react.

Your problem is with modern political correctness especially amongst white people is you may be stonewalled as anything racial is often considered racist. They are afraid if they laugh at your jokes they will be labelled a racist.

Just as a sidenote, would you be offended if a white guy said similar jokes about hispanics to you? If your answer is yes, then perhaps you are racist.

Answer 4

No but you are funny. That would be funny to see someone paint a wall then repair it. Just let my puppies be lol. Everyone knows their own race better than those that are not in that race of people. You are just making general comments. Irritating your wife while you are at it because you know she doesn't like it. My son lived with a Hispanic person, whom I thank the Lord for, and he was great. He made us laugh. I really liked him. Maybe we just have a weird sense of humor. I am white.

Answer 5

Are you ashamed of your race ? or are you just trying to get the joke or the observation out there before someone other than a hispanic makes the comment or joke . No you don't sound racist you just sound insecure about your heritage.

P.S. have you ever seen anyone of another race make a mistake or just screw up something ?

Answer 6

your sense of humor isn't racism. my father is also hispanic and my mother white, and my father has a lot to say about hispanic people and thier ways, but it's always lighthearted and with a sense of humor; like yourself. i think it would be racism if you saw the quirky ways of a certain people in a negative manner. you're just getting a laugh, in my opinion, and i don't see in any way that you can be racist against your own race, especially in this case.

Answer 7

It sounds like you joke about what you know, and you have a somewhat well-evolved sense of absurdity as applied to racial stereotyping. You're like the self-effacing comedian type, but you take what shocks other races and play with it. I don't think you're racist; you just have an acerbic sense of humor and you don't observe racial taboos and are not PC. No matter what race you were, there'd be a large percentage of people who "didn't get" your style of humor. As long as there is no tinge of hate or intolerance in your domestic standup routine, you're not racist!

Answer 8

No, you're a man with a good sense of humor, and your wife needs to lighten up, she should know by now that you enjoy cracking jokes.

Answer 9

I don't think you are racist, but I do think you need to be aware of how your jokes may offend those around you.

I know it is possible to be racist against your own people, but this sounds more like that you are almost making fun of yourself, as well as your race.

Answer 10

um,are you serious? joking about your own kind doesn't make you racist.that's ridiculous.I'm white,and I saw the humor in your dog joke.it just depends on what kind of person/people you're dealing with.sensitive people -like your wife- may have trouble seeing humor in the dog joke cause she's sensitive torward dogs or really loves dogs.I think it really does depend on how the person acts or what kind of person they are.

Answer 11

I don't think you're being racist. Now, if your wife made these comments, then she would be considered a racist towards Hispanics.