Are sexist and racist jokes morally just? [ENDS 16/05/2010]

[Grig]

Are sexist and racist jokes morally just?

Ends - 16/05/2010

A very thorny issue that has been debated by two sides through the ages. Sexist and racist jokes have been either used as a laugh in a social conversation, or as an insult to specific class of people.

Some view these jokes on even terms with any other joke and are just simply another way to have a bit of a laugh with not that much harm done, nor creating any hard feelings to the other party. Sometimes there is a mutual understanding of such jokes and there is little harm done every now and again. However, some swerve 180 degrees away from this perspective and echo the view that sexist and racist jokes are rude and should not be used in society. Some view that to find a sexist or racist joke funny, it is necessary to endorse some sexist assumptions that may be the backbone of the joke, thus the actual fact about people being amused by such jokes can be deemed immoral.

Anyway, it is now your turn to sink your teeth deep into this debate. Do you think such sexist and racist jokes are just there for a bit of a laugh, like should be done or do you completely blow that view out of the window and find sexist and racist jokes immoral?

[dbgtz]

As long as they're not directly aimed at someone then I see no harm.

[HotelUser]

Oh jesus, I can't see this going well.

I understand how people think they're really just jokes and that's fine and dandy, but I just don't appreciate the content, because of what it did, and to some extend still does represent. I end up incoherently losing respect for most people on this forum who've participated in making sexist and certainly race related jokes. I guess I was just raised in a way such that the telling of these jokes was strictly forbidden and so when I see someone whom of which I would previously of regarded as someone with self pride and respect who is involved in sharing these jokes, I guess I just lose a lot of respect for these people, and, as some of you can testify I'm sure, have experienced me treating you with that newfound lack of respect as consequence. I sort of do this subconsciously, though because of my own principles and views on racism and sexism I don't intervene.

[Sharon]

I don't see a problem with sexist jokes at all (Did HotelUser come up with this debate) but yes I see a problem with racist jokes and they swhouldn't be said directed or not.

[HotelUser]

I don't see a problem with sexist jokes at all (Did HotelUser come up with this debate) but yes I see a problem with racist jokes and they swhouldn't be said directed or not.

You'd think I would have come up with this, wouldn't you? Though no, I haven't. It is unfortunately and to the totally opposite opinion of my own that HxF management are mutual on allowing sexism to continue on HxF without intervention.

I probably wouldn't of posted this debate in all honesty, because it's most likely going to get incredibly heated incredibly fast.

Edited by MattGarner (Assistant General Manager): Please do not post pointlessly in the debates.

[Shar]

No. They're morally unjust, especially if they're directly offending someone so they should overall be unacceptable in society at all times.

[Richie]

Yeah they are fine, its just dry ****es that like to make a fuss who cry about them.

[Shar]

Yeah they are fine, its just dry ****es that like to make a fuss who cry about them.

Lmao no they are not fine if they're making someone cry...LOL
That shows that they're clearly offensive and therefore unjust
However if they clearly mean no harm then I guess it's OK

[Richie]

Lmao no they are not fine if they're making someone cry...LOL
That shows that they're clearly offensive and therefore unjust
However if they clearly mean no harm then I guess it's OK

Well lets be honest if someone is crying because of a joke they should just end their lives. Its a JOKE.

[Shar]

Well lets be honest if someone is crying because of a joke they should just end their lives. Its a JOKE.

Erm NO
If it's just a JOKE it shouldn't be offending anyone...
So like unless it's making the person your telling the joke laugh it's unacceptable...