Posted by OddipusRex on February 1, 2003, at 12:13:13
In reply to Re: Redneck Etiquette Rules » IsoM, posted by Ritch on February 1, 2003, at 10:54:49
I found this site that talks about dealing with racism, specifically ethnic humour. I think it says well what I think. I object to ethnic humour because I am a human not because I am a member of any particular group. It's from a conference for educators in Canada and I think it's appropriate. I come from sort of the same perspective as Lou. I think when kids are subjected to name calling and ethnic stereotypes that suggest they are ignorant, violent, and smelly it's bad. Whether their families are called wetbacks or gooks or rednecks, it doesn't make any difference. If you want to hurt someone, label them and attack their whole culture. This forum is a public place. Jokes that people may choose to tell in private are not appropriate here. I don't think anyone here is consciously trying to harm other people. But then I don't think I'm being some kind of unreasonable hypersensitive killjoy either, so what do I know?
http://www.bctf.ca/social/BuildingBridges/support/respond.html
Situation A: The Ethnic Joke
A group of co-workers are sitting around at lunch when one of them tells a particularly disgusting joke ridiculing a minority group. Some people laugh; others look embarrassed. No one makes any critical comments. What could you do in this situation?Response 1: Do Nothing
In such situations there are many excuses not to intervene. We think we might lose a friend or antagonise a co-worker. After all, ethnic humour is socially acceptable. What really happens when someone tells an ethnic joke is that an entire community is subjected to ridicule. Ethnic humour is a subtle form of racism that dehumanises whole peoples. Once people are dehumanised, it is not such a great step to actively discriminate against them.
We don't tell jokes about those we view with respect. We tend to tell jokes about those that our society looks down upon - Indo-Canadians, people from Newfoundland, Quebecois, etc. Rare indeed is the Canadian who tells ethnic jokes about Americans.
As long as ethnic humour goes unchallenged, it and racism will be socially acceptable.Response 2: Get Even
You denounce the offender as a racist, showing the offender that not everyone shares his or her beliefs. You might feel better because you have acted. The problem is that the offender is probably telling the joke out of insecurity or a need to be part of the group. This response might increase the insecurity that led to the joke in the first place, while you, yourself, may be seen as "overly sensitive".Response 3: Educate
You explain to the offender that the joke is based on inaccurate information, that the minority group concerned does not have the particular trait being ridiculed. This is a more positive response because you are not only challenging the behaviour, but the misinformation behind it. Unfortunately, until you get the offender to examine the insecurity which prompted the joke in the first place, he or she might not be open to the education.Response 4: Take the Fear Away
You say, "I feel uncomfortable when I hear that kind of a jokeî. Turn to the person sitting next to you and ask, "How do you feel?" Continue by explaining, "The reason it makes me feel uncomfortable is that I think it dehumanises people." By this time, the other people who looked embarrassed may be encouraged to discuss how they feel. In this way, without being directly challenged, the offender is encouraged to examine the feelings of insecurity that led to the telling of the joke. The offender may then be open to positive education.
poster:OddipusRex
thread:35991
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030201/msgs/36076.html