Are inappropriate jokes just, opinions?

[Salu]

Are inappropriate jokes just and opinion?

I think most would agree that the following jokes are inappropriate in today's climate....

Did you hear about the black man who.......
Have you heard the one about the pakistani who.......
There once was an assylum seeker who.......
What's the difference between a disabled......

etc

So then why is is OK to say the following?

Did you hear about the ginger haired.......
What the difference between a blonde......
There once was an Englishman, a Scotsman and an Irishman.....(and the Irish lad always looks dumb)
Jokes about Jews being tight

etc

Are we saying that its more offensive for a black man to hear a joke about his colour/race etc than it is for a Jew?

Should we aim to stop all derisery jokes that poke fun at minorities, weaknesses and differences or are we becoming so worried of causing offence to people that we are losing our sense of humour?

Of course you could hear the same joke from two people; one racist and one not and you would probably be able to detect the subliminal difference so surely this is the issue here presenting itself as humour?

Are we losing the ability to laugh at ourselves due to politically correct attitudes alongside real issues of racism?

Any thoughts?

[gazzae]

What do you call a black pilot?

A Pilot you racist!!

I have no problems with any kind of jokes, I think its people worried of causing offense, if a jokes funny its funny. I find Irish jokes funny as well even though I am Irish...

A cessna crashed into a graveyard in Dublin. Police have said they have recovered 200 bodies and expect digging to continue through the night.

[Angua]

You should always have the ability to laugh at yourself. I'm usually the first one to laugh if I trip over my own feet.

[Stuart C]

I think the problem is that we each find different things funny. I personally like some politically incorrect humour (not too big a fan of Bernard Manning and got bored of Benny Hill though). I can also see that some people might find it offensive.

I think a lot of humour is based on taking the mickey out of someone, or appearing to hurt them (slapstick does seem to be basically people falling over or getting hit, usually with a "funny" sound effect). Maybe this is an indication of a nasty side to our nature?

However, it should be noted that a lot of the sickest/nastiest jokes (about bombings, Princess Di dying etc) are actually the result of people trying to deal with the stress of a situation though, so could be considered a valuable release.

I personally don't think we should be trying to control humour though. Most jokes will offend someone (think about it -most jokes have some sort of "victim"), and the only way to stop all offensive jokes would be to stop people joking at all. However, people should be aware that not everyone will realise that a joke is meant as a joke.

It's actually worth noting that some groups do actually take the p*ss out themselves. Some of the most anti-black humour I have heard has come from black comedians (Eddie Murphy, Richard Prior, Chris Rock etc). Similarly, some of the most anti-irish humour has come from Irish people (Dave Allen for one), and I'll never forget Billy Connelly's line about copper wire being invented by two Scotsmen who were fighting over a penny. As for gay comedians, well, look at Matt Lucas. His humour is hardly politically correct (the "Only Gay In The Village" being one example).

I still find all the comedians I have mentioned funny though..

[Angua]

Personally I could never stand Norman Wisdom, he always made me cringe, but then again Alexi Sayle did nothing for my humour button either.

[punky]

Under the right to freedom of speech, what one white person says to another in the form of a joke is their business and noone else's. They are not inciting racial hatred here, and far from it.

I know coppers, firemen, etc, so naturally as soon as anything happens, like 7/7, 21/7 the Brazillian shooting, the tsunami, I normally get jokes about it. I joked back to one, that'll get you sent to Belmarsh if Blair gets his way (reference to proposed terror laws).

Another side point, TB is still trying to get religious jokes banned. Noone has to hear a joke, so if they do, it is their own responsibility if someone is offended by it.

[Paul]

As long as a joke isn't blatantly offensive or racist then it should be taken as an attempt at humour but since everyone has their own views and opinions on what is or is not racist/ offensive it will always be a difficult line to walk.
The only thing that annoys me is when someone else decides for you what is/ is not racist/ offensive/ sexist etc. Are we not allowed to make our own decisions anymore?

I like comedians such as chubby brown.
Yes they can be taken as offensive, but thats why they warn easily offended people to stay away.
Bernard manning to me isnt offensive, i am not easily offended, yes his jokes are a little on the raw side, but he is well known for it and again if easily offended stay away. Its not like either of these guys are forced down our throats.

Look at Kevin bloody wilson, Dennis Leary, Don Juan these guys make a living from telling "bar room" jokes.
You can include one of the classics, bobby thompson aka the little waster. He was quite offensive with some of his jokes.
Even the likes of jim davidson, frank skinner et al are pretty raw in their stand up routines.

It is a matter of oppinion, the stuff I find funny would upset others. The stuff that I think is racist does not stop it being funny. Their is no need to campaign to stop these jokes, they are humour, they will appeal to some but not all.
There are victims of jokes, but people must realise that telling a racist joke and finding it amusing does not mean you are biggotted or likely to preach racial hatred. Same goes for sexist jokes, doesnt mean I'm a woman hater/beater or rapist.
I find programs such as dirt sanchez very funny, I cant resist laughing at others misfortunes, i'll help them but I still think its funny.

I would suggest it's about context. Would it be funny to be told a joke about a 'Paki' by a BNP supporter? The relationship between groups is also important; are they in on the joke or just simply the butt of it snd of other people's prejudices.

[Gareth]

Blimey, this is in the humour section, so where's the punchline?

[marky]

Originally Posted by Stuart C

I'll never forget Billy Connelly's line about copper wire being invented by two Scotsmen who were fighting over a penny.

that guy is so funny
when my wife calls me tight because i hang the tea bags out to dry

[punky]

Originally Posted by markymoan

that guy is so funny
when my wife calls me tight because i hang the tea bags out to dry

[Jules]

It is all down to the person really, what one person finds offensive an other will find funny