I spent sometime professionally as a cartoonist, so I got paid to see the humour in things. However, people of late have gotten so overly sensitive about everything it seems to me. I especially notice it when visiting Y!A, people tend to take issue and find offense in the most innocent remarks or turns of phrases. So here I am, wanting to ask a question concerning something that used to be considered mildly amusing but afraid I'll get a violation instead of honest answers. Hopefully people will see some validity in my question to not have that happen. Here goes.
It would be funny, in an ironic sort of way, if you met someone whose last name fit their occupation. Such as if they were a chef and their name was Cook, or a bank teller and their name was Clerk. In this way it's funny because they opted to choose a job which matched their last name. But it also used to be funny in an ironic way when a person's last name happened to be associated in some way with who they happened to be.
2007-09-19 08:31:15 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
So, if a little person's last name was Short, or an African-American's was Black or Brown, or a Caucasian's was White, or a homosexual's was Gaylord, etc., then it seemed mildly humourous when coming upon this for that reason. There would oft times be comedy sketches based on just this type of thing.
Well, I'm wondering if finding the humour in things such as this is now considered inappropriate. If I did a cartoon today which hit upon this, would most people actually find it to be offensive somehow, instead of finding the mild humour in it?
2007-09-19 08:31:46 · update #1
funny
2007-09-19 08:35:03 · answer #1 · answered by Angela C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I think that if it is done in good taste it can still be funny. Comedy can be very edgy without being insulting. I think some people need to get a grip.
For the record there is a play by Tyler Perry called "Meet the Browns", but I don't think that particular joke comes up. Also I know a nurse whose last name is Nurse. I had never even heard that as a last name before. It still causes some comical moments in that office.
2007-09-19 08:41:02 · answer #2 · answered by tetlitea 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's terrible that the humor in our differences has been seen as offensive.
I'm sorry, that humor has taken on a hit due to the media taking everything out of context. Here is my take on the entire subject, and I hope I don't get blocked because of it either!
If a black comedian had called the Rutgers basketball team that word, it would have been funny. Why?
A comedian in the nineties did the same thing to the girls of the WNBA when they first started playing and it was funny.
If a black comedian had called the hagglers that same word, it would have been funny. Why?
Ask Martin Lawrence when he was a stand up comedian being heckled and called the guys and their mothers some awful names. Got it on CD.
If a Jewish comedian had made the comments Mel Gibson did, it would have been funny. Why?
I remember watching a female Jewish comedian on HBO, talk about living in the suburbs with people who would tease them about being Jewish, and her comment was" Tease all you want, just pay dad the rent on time". this was funny then, and funny now.
2007-09-19 10:14:36 · answer #3 · answered by Janice Dickinsons' Shrink 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Unfortunately, we live in a society that has experience more than a little racism. While I believe that you don't intend to be racist and are not a racist, there will always be someone who finds your humor offensive. I actually do find you comments funny and would not be offended by you imagined strip, but that's just me. I suppose that any time you are in a public forum that someone else is responsible for, you have to play by their rules. No matter how arbitrary.
2007-09-19 08:44:14 · answer #4 · answered by James H 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I use and encounter humor associated with my name all the time, as I am a white male named white. I have heard,"You`re the first white man I`ve seen today." (I get that a lot). I often reply,"I`m off-white." referring to my zany personality and the fact that white people are not really white. I don`t consider ANY humor racist, as long as it isn`t malicious or intended to hurt. Stand-up comics use this type humor(and a lot worse) and people PAY to go hear it. I think racism boils down to INTENT.
2007-09-19 08:48:37 · answer #5 · answered by srmm 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Personally I would find it funny, but you are right, everyone is jumping on the racial bandwagon. Politically correct has become a phrase to be feared. I agree with you it has all been taken too far but unfortunately there are probably a large group who would take offense at this.
2007-09-19 08:44:05 · answer #6 · answered by ophirhodji 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because of the fact that is will be in cartoon form, I think the majority of people would find the humor in it. I know I would. Your're correct, so many people take things to heart and that's kinda sad. Keep up the good work :)
2007-09-19 08:41:50 · answer #7 · answered by ishowtt4beads 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hahaha, was actually just talking to a friend of mine about that. I was giving him cr** about having "Black" as a last name and being white. Then we have a fabric store chain around here by the name of "Handcock Fabricks". That was someones last name! Sorry if thats your, but its just plain funny.
As for insulting people, someone will be insulted with anything you do for some reason. Now cartoonists are just trying to be insulting.
I find it funny so go for it.
Good luck
Beth
2007-09-19 10:23:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I do see your point and I would def see the irony and humor( if funny) you can't worry about what people think as long as your intent is on the up and up. If it's something that is offensive hands down like ''black people and fried chicken'' then there is the potential for probs. just try to keep it as clean and general as pos cause I love '' real'' and ''good'' humor. Most will recognize it for what it is......
2007-09-19 08:41:37 · answer #9 · answered by Miz Peaches 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it is terrible that everyone has become so sensitive and politically correct about stuff today.Lighten up!Laugh a little!
Can you even imagine the Archie Bunker show surviving on TV today? There would be law suits left and right.
2007-09-19 08:42:01 · answer #10 · answered by Hope 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's likely that whomever you choose to be the 'butt' of your jokes, or whatever subject you choose to write/draw about, someone is going to be offended by it.
It may well be that you don't intend any malice. However, think of how scornful many of us are about those who start sentences with "no offense but....."
The best that you can do is to be aware of this (which it sounds as if you already are) and to choose your audiences carefully!
2007-09-19 08:46:15 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋