What do you think about this statement?

Question

The constitution of the United States guarantees free speech and sets aside the ability to sue in federal courts, all that would infringe upon those rights. I belive that it is our duty to protect those rights and to vigurously litigate against anyone that would deny them. I also believe that free speech comes with responsibility, but responsibility should also take into account the context of the speech.

As a black man, who is handicap from a stroke, I don't believe that a joke about a black man with a stroke and handicap, is necessarily not funny. I laugh at myself all the time. I think it is very healthy for all of us.

Answer 1

If we can't laugh at ourselves we have no right to make fun of others.

I applaud you sir.

Answer 2

Did you hear the one about the handicapped black man who had a stroke? No I didn't. I really must say I haven't heard many stoke jokes here lately, not that I am aware of! I wouldn't think they would be very funny if I did coming from some one else. Hoewver, coming from you I would consider them to be quite amusing. It is a good quality of the person who, despite his or her handicaps and disadvantages, can laugh up their sleeve. I've never met you, nor you me, but I think you are a delightful, insightful person!

Answer 3

Laughing at life in general and it's ironic situations is a great stress reliever. However, making fun of someone less fortunate is not a form of freedom of speech that I agree with.
I will say what I feel in most cases, however, i will not say something to someone , lets say , is physically handicapped to insult, although I have the right to thru freedom of speech, that would make me a person I do not want to be.

Answer 4

What is funny for you may not necessarily be funny for someone else. And then the guy laughing at himself may be caught at the wrong moment and may not appreciate you laughing at his disability.

So this is a judgment call, and is decided by the many factors at that moment.

In case you cracked the joke at the wrong moment that guy may pursue u till court but then may be doing it only out of obstinacy.

While freedom of speech is a right and so is freedom one has to be sensitive to the people around when exercising that freedom.

Answer 5

I admire your attitude and many of the people who responded to this question. Keep the laughter.

If free speech comes with responsibilities who decides which ones we protect, which are in the context of the speech?

Answer 6

Humor like everything else comes in many different ways and often at the expense of others. Sometimes you can't help what appears to be funny to you. I have been in the theater and been the only one laughing to what is obviously not funny to anyone else. Like beauty, humor is an individual thing. It is good however to be able to laught at yourself because we all do dumb stuff now and then.

Answer 7

A well put statement.I am Cajun and people are always making jokes about us being stupid,inbred,and the way we talk.We make fun of ourselves and it makes life much more fun.I love a good laugh even it is at my own expense.

Answer 8

i'm also a young girl of color and i know life can be very stressful so once in a while we've got to let it out and pretend for once that life is fair. i do laugh at my self a lot when i'm down, it sometimes help. and i'm sorry about your condition, i wouldn't laugh at anyone who's in pain or who had suffered.

Answer 9

I do agree with you, but there are many who cannot laugh at themselves. I laugh at myself all the time, it's the only way!

Answer 10

well as a person of color I see funny where ever it is .... every human condition is capable of being viewed in a humorous light.