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I'm gonna say something unpopular ...
13 years ago
But frankly, y'all ... if any comedian or show you watch uses the "offends everyone equally" defense? That thing is definitely the stupidest shit imaginable, and is guaranteed to be unfunny. It is 100% a bullshit defense when someone wants to make fucked-up bigot jokes but doesn't want to be called a bigot. If you ever use that defense you're either malicious or extremely naive. In the hopes that anyone reading this is just naive, I'll explain:
People don't all start on a level playing field, so "offending everyone equally" is inherently more damaging to certain groups because they started out already being systematically oppressed. It's not genuinely funny or edgy, it's just mimicing the same goddamn bigotries that are already there. Plus? When they make a joke about the white straight cis male character? He's not going to be taken by the audience as representative of his entire race/sexuality/gender/sex, but a minority character WILL.
Does that mean someone can't ever make a joke about race/sex/sexuality/gender identity/religion/etc.? Fuck no! But the people who are genuinely good at "edgy" humor like that? They never have to fall back on bullshit like "I offend everyone equally!" because they fucking know how to make jokes without hurting minorities. There's a handy little phrase: "Punch up, not down". That is, if your edgy humor tackles the people and systems that are in power over others, then it comes out funny and empowering because you're taking on a strong opponent that stresses out a lot of people who need some humorous relief. If your "edgy" humor tackles minority groups who are already less powerful than you and your target audience, then you're just being a fucking bully.
Anyway, just wanted to get that shit off my chest because if I saw one more person defending South Park or Family Guy with that stupid argument I was gonna scream.
People don't all start on a level playing field, so "offending everyone equally" is inherently more damaging to certain groups because they started out already being systematically oppressed. It's not genuinely funny or edgy, it's just mimicing the same goddamn bigotries that are already there. Plus? When they make a joke about the white straight cis male character? He's not going to be taken by the audience as representative of his entire race/sexuality/gender/sex, but a minority character WILL.
Does that mean someone can't ever make a joke about race/sex/sexuality/gender identity/religion/etc.? Fuck no! But the people who are genuinely good at "edgy" humor like that? They never have to fall back on bullshit like "I offend everyone equally!" because they fucking know how to make jokes without hurting minorities. There's a handy little phrase: "Punch up, not down". That is, if your edgy humor tackles the people and systems that are in power over others, then it comes out funny and empowering because you're taking on a strong opponent that stresses out a lot of people who need some humorous relief. If your "edgy" humor tackles minority groups who are already less powerful than you and your target audience, then you're just being a fucking bully.
Anyway, just wanted to get that shit off my chest because if I saw one more person defending South Park or Family Guy with that stupid argument I was gonna scream.
The only time Family Guy and South Park have ever, ever been funny have been the five or so minutes they spend on humor other than at the expense of marginalized groups. Usually fart jokes.
I'm not the best spokesperson for this, but referencing popular culture or poking fun on people who are hurting becomes a gateway to okay vulgarity and derogatory language to select groups of people. We stereotype them with falsities from T.V. sublimation and propaganda. For some it may be hysterical, they understand not to take it too seriously, but it still leaves stereotyping residue. I'm okay with it's existence because I understand the nature of the show, the intentional use of creating controversy for laughs, but I steer away from watching any T.V. in general anymore because it is degrading to a negative influence.
Look at me, I'm starting to sound like the adults of the previous generation. I don't know what to think about that. I get it, some parts I don't like, but I can't change the T.V. industry upside down. I can either watch, protest in a small group, or turn off the T.V. and do something good for myself and with my friends.
I hope this post wasn't a bore, and I hope my reasoning sounds valid! I agree with you to a large degree.
You either stick with your jokes or don't tell them to begin with. If you make edgy jokes, everyone should be a target not any particular group because we all have flaws or quirks.
I do admit sometimes South Park and Family Guy go overboard, or frankly some of their jokes are just so stupid they go from entertaining to annoying.
Family Guy has the lock on stupid annoying jokes, South Park has the lock on super-preachy.
Awesome journal.
I've never liked either of these shows, or any humor even similar to them. And I particularly think Seth MacFarlane is a disgusting ass with an overblown opinion of himself and his humor. Something does definitely need to be done about the tendency to allow and be entertained by such tripe, but I think Orel has the right idea: turn off the crap, go outside, spend time with good people, and encourage those you know to do the same. That's the best antidote, since being around good people and doing good things will make people more likely to avoid such crass idiocy as the insensitive and disrespectful crap it is.
On the other hand, I will admit to enjoying South Park's take on Scientology, just because that falls under the "blatant stupidity" which deserves to be mocked. But that may just be me.
And Im pregnant with your baby.
"RIP Nieve's really sweet baby"
But I get where going with it, it feels like at the lowest point, people make fun of by only basing it on stereotypes.