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Mixed Feelings
Aug. 26th, 2003 12:13 amStereotypes are on my mind, a lot, these days. So are differences between individuals - honest differences between who they are, what they can or cannot do or be expected to do.
How can it be right to glorify one set of stereotypes in the name of ratings when another set of stereotypes would be blasted for doing the same thing?
I get into trouble, sometimes, with folks for challenging their biases, their stereotypes, their political beliefs. I have a hard time standing aside for such things. It has gotten me yelled at by people whom I love, and by whom I am loved. It has prompted certain relatives to indicate that I am not welcome at their homes unless I agree NOT to challenge their way of life and their actions and assumptions. It has caused folks to leave MY house abruptly from an evening together, when I have indicated that the opinions (presented as facts) that were stated by one of them were no better than the reverse opinion held by the sub-group of the nationals he was demeaning.
There is a show on television that bothers me. (Yes, yes, there are several of them, but I am focused on this one at the moment.) Queer Eye for the Straight Guy is a funny, clever show. It seems to be well done and effective in its goals.
I am offended by it in ways that I am only now managing to BEGIN to describe.
If the show were instead about Jews showing Catholics how to handle money, how would folks feel about it? If it were about Blacks showing whites how to act like they had soul, what would viewers think? Pick a group that has been stereotyped, and imagine their sharing with another group that has been stereotyped in a different direction.
Is it just me? "Lighten up, Shaine, you take it all to seriously! This is just humor!" Is that the message? I am offended by slap-stick comedy, too - that laughs at others' pain.
Yet, should we take offense at every little thing that goes on? Up in arms over offenses every step of the way?
I still enjoy telling elephant jokes. But without a doubt, my favorite elephant joke of all time is one which to ME seems pointed, if not to other people...
Why can an elephant never forget?
If you had all these jokes being told about you, could YOU forget?
I know I can't forget the jokes that were told about me.
Still.
How can it be right to glorify one set of stereotypes in the name of ratings when another set of stereotypes would be blasted for doing the same thing?
I get into trouble, sometimes, with folks for challenging their biases, their stereotypes, their political beliefs. I have a hard time standing aside for such things. It has gotten me yelled at by people whom I love, and by whom I am loved. It has prompted certain relatives to indicate that I am not welcome at their homes unless I agree NOT to challenge their way of life and their actions and assumptions. It has caused folks to leave MY house abruptly from an evening together, when I have indicated that the opinions (presented as facts) that were stated by one of them were no better than the reverse opinion held by the sub-group of the nationals he was demeaning.
There is a show on television that bothers me. (Yes, yes, there are several of them, but I am focused on this one at the moment.) Queer Eye for the Straight Guy is a funny, clever show. It seems to be well done and effective in its goals.
I am offended by it in ways that I am only now managing to BEGIN to describe.
If the show were instead about Jews showing Catholics how to handle money, how would folks feel about it? If it were about Blacks showing whites how to act like they had soul, what would viewers think? Pick a group that has been stereotyped, and imagine their sharing with another group that has been stereotyped in a different direction.
Is it just me? "Lighten up, Shaine, you take it all to seriously! This is just humor!" Is that the message? I am offended by slap-stick comedy, too - that laughs at others' pain.
Yet, should we take offense at every little thing that goes on? Up in arms over offenses every step of the way?
I still enjoy telling elephant jokes. But without a doubt, my favorite elephant joke of all time is one which to ME seems pointed, if not to other people...
Why can an elephant never forget?
If you had all these jokes being told about you, could YOU forget?
I know I can't forget the jokes that were told about me.
Still.
