who can explain racism and racist jokes in a world like today's?

Question

how can people be so inconsiderate and cruel to people who are who they are? plz no joke answers-this is an unusualy serious Q

Answer 1

Sadly for all the political correctness and anti prejudice efforts, no one can legislate each person's thoughts. From the perspective of a social scientist, I think racism is just as bad now as ever. The difference is people do a great cover it up, except in jokes.
Charles "That Cheeky Lad"
P.S. My hunch is that the more it is pushed down the population's throat the more resistent the people become.

Answer 2

If you tell a joke about your own culture this is not considered racist but if someone of a different culture tells the same joke then should this be considered racist?

The ability to accept criticism is a measure of the development of a culture. Many countries cannot stand any jokes about themselves but Australians for example are typically easy going when they hear jokes about Australia.

People who have problems with jokes are typically low on both self confidence and self esteem. The creation of a joke and what makes it funny has been the subject of may papers on human psychology and there are certain 'formulas' that work well.

Jokes are told to lessen the impact of a dramatic event like a huge loss of life, not to necessarily demean the event but to make it easier for the psyche to handle. The cruelness is perhaps your perspective but this is the minority as far as intent is concerned.

Political Correctness is a pointless exercise that simply replaces one label for another. It has been carried so far in Western society that it has become a joke in other cultures.

Many jokes will work just as well with a change of nationality but some can only work for a given group because the premise of the joke is based on the generic behavior (perceived or real) of that society.

Answer 3

I think that there are 2 types of racist jokes out there: There is the kind that is simply there to poke fun at stereotypes and is usually told in context with this. It isn't actually directed at anyone in particular, and is usually harmless. In fact this kind is often told in multicultural situations. The second type is the nasty, insidious type. They wouldn't often be told in a friendly situation, and would be used in the same way as "yo momma" jokes are at the prelude to a fight.

As for racism itself, it has been around since human existance I think. And my belief is that people will gang up against other people who are different and are a minority. It is often just bullying and scare tactics. Racism is usually instigated by narrow minded individuals who themselves are fearful of the minorities potential. Just like schoolyard bullies really.

There is a good article on racism at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism if you want to read more, hope i've helped.

Answer 4

Why are people offended so easily? I'm white and have non-white friends and we've told each other racist jokes before. It's more like we're making fun of the stereotypes than the actual race. I think everybody could lighten up and get over themselves for a while. I know some could be down right mean but there you go, there's always one that can spoil it for the whole bunch.

Answer 5

You have to remember that this world has always been extremely racist up until just the past few decades. Some of our parents and grandparents grew up in a racist society that was normal to them. it is simply going to take time for that to go away completely. But it is getting better, no argument there.

Answer 6

Racist joke wen 1 person 1 race make jok abot other race, thye always most funy, rastus joks mi favorit and bernardt maning alos vere funy.racist joks best i tink. I dont wory racist joks wait til dark brake fingers see how thy laff then. Them laff my car FSO finest car made Poland, close rato gerebox lether sets sunrof mend wit hammer i them run of road wit it, se them laff ten. they not ment wit hammer plastick all busted laff udder site fac.ten

Answer 7

When people doubt their own worth, it is hard for them to see the worth in others. The same goes for respect. Deep seated self hatred will always cause people to act this way.

Answer 8

Maybe its people who are over sensitive these days, people should be able to laugh at themselves and as long as it is not truely meant as hatred and just in humour there should be no offence taken

Answer 9

did you hear about the mexican car?
it stops on a dime, then gets out to pick it up.