In a recent diary
Ever rserven talked about how rape is not funny. Ever. I'd like to widen the discussion a bit, and ask
How do we know if a joke is funny or offensive?
So, if you'd like to discuss it, join me below the fold
I like to joke, and I like to hear jokes. I like to laugh. I don't know how people without senses of humor make it in this crazy world. But I don't like being offended, and, therefore, don't like causing offnese. Now, of course, the only way to be absolutely sure not to cause offense is to be silent always. That's not an option I like. How do I minimize the risk? Well, in general, it's tough. I tend to talk before thinking too often. But with jokes, I've usually thought about it before I tell a joke. So here's my rule:
Put yourself, or a loved one, or your ethnic group, or whatever, in place of whoever or whatever group is in the joke. Is it funny? Is it offensive?
Rape isn't funny. Ever. I don't care who the victim is. Jokes about Hitler being raped are offensive. Just put your favorite politician in place of Hitler, and imagine. Would a joke about Al Gore being raped be funny? I didn't think so.
Ethnic jokes usually are offensive. Here's one I think is NOT offensive, tell me if you agree:
What's the difference between heaven and hell?
In heaven,
the English are the police,
the French are the cooks,
the Italians are the lover,
the Swiss are the administrators,
and the Germans are the mechanics.
But in hell
The English are the cooks
The French are the mechanics
The Italians are the administrators
The Swiss are the lovers
and The Germans are the police
I could cope with adding my own nationality here: Say
in heaven: The Americans are the engineers
in hell: The Americans are the diplomats
or whatever.
So, what's funny? What's offensive?
[update] As several commenters have pointed out, directly or indirectly, context matters. I am referring here to jokes made in public places, like, say dailykos.