Race, jokes, comedy - getting out of hand?

Posted by Derek on December 16, 2007 at 4:19pm in General Discussions

I watch "The Family Guy",. "American Dad", and now I am making my way thru "Goodnight Burbank". All these shows pick on different races and religions and such.

However, maybe I am getting too sensitive, but I think this may be getting out of hand with respect to the jokes on Black (African American) people. When Stewie is walking around in a pimp suit with a Black women at a boxing match and he tells her to shut up - I think that might be over the top.

Now, on Goodnight Burbank, they talk trash about Africa, blacks doing drugs, mexicans cleaning and doing yardwork. Can be funny - but - there are NO Blacks or Mexicans on the show.

I am all in favor of humor - all kinds - no censorship here. If I don't like it, I vote with my feet and money (and mouse).

But I think it is starting to get a little heavy handed now. At least if they do it to that level, allow a rebuttal in the form of more diversity in actors.

Tags: blacks, comedy, mexicans, race

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Maiflowers on December 16, 2007 at 4:35pm: They do respect race of all kinds its just that most people find those kind of jokes funny. I never really thought about what they were saying, its always just been another fourm of humor. If no one complains the writers would probably think that no one cares and just keep making more jokes.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Derek on December 16, 2007 at 4:57pm: I am not complaining that the are making jokes - that I can take. It only that the seem to be going it more and more heavy handedly.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lee Ortiz on December 16, 2007 at 6:55pm: I know what what you mean by that, it really does get me upset. I don't why people make jokes about that and hurts the person I guess.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Markie on December 16, 2007 at 7:22pm: i have to admit im a bit racist with some of my coments on certain subjects, but those writers must be real messed up and serious haters!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Derek on December 17, 2007 at 5:28am: I think everyone is a bit racist. I am not commenting on the racism - that can be overcome with a little education.

On Goodnight Burbank, not a single Black or Hispanic on the show - yet they feel they joke about that. On Family Guy, there may not be any REAL Black voices, but at least they have some black characters. Same with the Simpsons.

All the stupid, right-wing (not necessarily putting both adjectives together :-) ) are at least balanced by smart, left-wing people. EXCEPT for the race - nothing but whites to try to teach whites about other races.

Again, I am not taking an angry or hurt tone in my conversation - because I mainly think racist people are hurting themselves. I just think that it's getting bigger and less overt.

And maybe THIS is a racist example, but, can you imagine what Germany could have become if they didn't kill all the Jewish people? And the rest of the world? Same goes with slaves from Africa and early American.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Markie on December 18, 2007 at 10:10am: I Liked your point about everybody being atleast a little racist, but i dont think it will be erradicated, what used to be racist slang has become common use between certain groups of people, every elite group could be considered racist since they dont allow people who dont cover ther minimum standards, so i think tolerance and common sense its the only thing we can hope for.

I like watching stand up comedy, and alot of the jokes are very racist but the thing i enjoy is being able to laugh without worrying that the *mexican, cuban, asian, white people, black people or gay guy* wont be like im going to kick his ass after the show.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Niegel on December 18, 2007 at 12:21pm: i saw an episode last night and all it had was irish and black jokes...eh...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mayank on December 18, 2007 at 1:46pm: being indian i have take quite a few race jokes but yea its starting to get old now; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Arthur Reeder on December 18, 2007 at 10:52pm: Sometimes the joke is not funny for being racist, sometimes the joke is a jab at the racist mentality. An example I'll give is Dave Chappelle's "Clayton Bigsby" sketch.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/291638/clayton_bigsby/; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Derek on December 19, 2007 at 11:37am: Dave Chappelle is an exact point. He is both very funny and VERY BIASED. He may represent "some" people - but he does NOT me. I think Chris Rock is funny also. Both are very racially caustic, but I Chris talk more generically, and Dave talks about hoodlums, crackheads, ghetto, etc. I definitely identify more with Chris - but, I also know many of folks that would dig Dave.

I have to be in a special mindset to watch Dave. I KNOW he's going to offend.

Now, personally, racial jokes don't bother me. When people are talking out of ignorance, I try to help them. If they aren't willing, I just avoid them. I am just thinking about the average person with the tone of my dialog.

Check out this video ("I know Black People!") from Dave Chappelle:
http://thatvideosite.com/video/1315

BTW, I would NOT win on that contest - but was surprised at who did (AND who didn't)...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by G Mazz on December 18, 2007 at 11:05pm: Everyone is at least a little racist, whether they admit it or not.

I can see what you're saying, Derek, that race jokes can get out of hand and push onto the offensive side. However, you should be watching these shows with a light mind, they're made to make you laugh. When you think about it, there isn't much funny comedy out there that doesn't somehow poke at sensitive or offensive topics. That's half of what's funny about a lot of these comics, that they're able to put a humorous spin on subjects that are otherwise quite mundane.

Here's where I think you have to have a bit more of an open mind. Much of these comedic shows actually help to bring some of these topics to the forefront. Yes, everybody knows the racial stereotypes, but who talks about them in public? Nobody wants to offend anyone else. Using humor allows us to open up to these topics, and (take this thread for an example) allow us to discuss them more freely, without having to break the ice on the subject in an awkward manner.

For those who get offended, it's a perfect opportunity to educate others and explain to them how a joke like that came about, what your culture is really about and how someone from your background experiences life.

Jokes on those shows are meant to be light, and aren't intended to offend anyone. Racism becomes a dangerous problem when there is hatred involved. Certainly, the writers of these shows aren't trying to spark any kind of racial wars, but trying to disrupt racial tension. They're trying to open people up to these issues, and allow a kind of debate to happen. It's how mutual understanding happens.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Derek on December 19, 2007 at 11:47am: Open minded I am. I only wonder what the average (purely mathematically) would think. Not much offends me - even the 2girls1cup. I will tell someone I don't like something, and just take myself somewhere else.

I remember being in Austin at Mount Bonnell (an high overlook next to the river). I was walking back to my car, when a A car full of whites (?) passed me and shouted "Niggers!". I laughed my ass off! Mainly, because I didn't think anyone still did that (outside of VERY country towns). Austin is pretty new-age, college educated. Secondly, if they were trying to be insulting and threating, they sure showed their colors by speeding away and not waiting for any answers. 4 against 1 - oh yeah, odds were against them.

My motto is that is takes all kinds - I would never tell anyone how/what to do.; ▶ Reply to This