A man is driving and runs over a woman. Who is at fault?
...
The man, because what was he doing driving in a kitchen??
Hi, my name is Bri (hi Bri!) and I'm a female who laughs at sexist jokes. I can't help it- they're so absurdly offensive that they actually throttle past the "offensive" line and end up at funny. Obviously I don't find these jokes funny when the "comedian" actually believes the sentiment, but when it's me and a couple friends and someone cracks a kitchen joke, I'm going to laugh. And I'm going to laugh hard.
I don't find sexist jokes funny because I'm an anti-feminist, or because I believe my gender's rightful place is in front of a stove, let's be clear. No, I love sexist jokes because it forces people to, frankly, chill the fuck out.
Let me explain. I believe that if you can't laugh at something, then you don't completely understand it. I believe that cracking jokes about something is just as valuable a coping mechanism as "roaming the halls weeping" (thanks, Spock!). Laughter reminds us that through every horrible event there comes a reason to continue living. Joking about touchy or controversial topics is just a way of dealing with them, because yes, sexism is funny. It is honestly hysterical to me when one person believes they're inherently better because of the set of genitals they lucked into prenatally. And how do I express that opinion? By satirically telling jokes to point out how imbecilic their points-of-view are. I would much rather laugh than yell, would rather smile than sob, and would rather spread entertainment than hate.
I laugh at sexist jokes because if I yelled and protested over every sexist, bigoted, or hateful thing someone makes light of, I would never get to sleep. I laugh at sexist jokes because they're funny, and because laughter is the best medicine for a fractured world. I laugh because, well, why not?
You are so right! I love your attitude, and I totally agree, sometimes the world is just too politically correct. I mean, aren't we kind of giving sexists *more* power if we actually take what they say seriously? Won't people be more likely to come down on our (the feminists'--I am one!) side if we look like we're having some fun?
ReplyDeleteI agree too. Why not laugh at the jokes if they tickle that funny bone. There are going to be some jokes that you laugh at that others will find offensive. The same goes for ones they laugh at. But how far would be considered too far? I know what you mean Bri about how if the person telling the joke actually believes in what they are saying. I don't see the joke as a joke anymore, but as their way of making some kind of statement. Then I start to wonder why they needed to make it into a joke in the first place.
ReplyDeleteBri-
ReplyDeleteI have this feeling the personal essay is going to suit you well. Its call for humor, for wit, for quirky subjects will offer you a good ride. The trick will be to not rant (this blog tends to do that), at least not explicitly, on the topics we find absurd. You have a great topic here, one that could easily expand outwards to feminism and comedy (why has stand up comedy, for instance, been such a man's world?). Can women tell dirty jokes and get away with it? Of course they can, but then, again, they can't. Try to write an essay with implied rant for this one that I just now found on the internet: What do you tell a woman with two black eyes? Nothing. You already told her twice.
Brent
I have to say, you changed my viewpoint. I usually don't like sexist jokes too much, but your attitude towards them is actually quite awesome. I've always wondered why people can find them funny if they're so off, but that's the point - they're funny because they're dumb. I liked your piece a lot, and especially the argument behind it.
ReplyDeleteThat's why I don't get mad when people make "now make me a sandwich" jokes, and I find it hilarious when people start ranting about social justice and gender equality when they could just be ENJOYING themselves
ReplyDeleteTruth. Most of the guys I've known who make sexist jokes have actually been the ones most supportive of women's rights. The real sexists tend to take the issue too much for granted to find humor in it. Really hilarious!
ReplyDelete