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Don't Farce It

Don't Farce It

Are jokes about rape ever appropriate?

by Sarah Mo (Mon Feb 08, 2010)

Comic relief - the act of injecting humor into serious situations and social issues - dates back to Greek theater and it exists for a reason. If we could not laugh at the human condition, we would most likely go mad. Society could possibly crumble without it.

But are all serious social issues the same? Should some never be joked about? I am talking about rape, here.

Is it ever acceptable to joke about rape? Is it a black-and-white issue, or is there some gray area that leaves room for debate? For example, what if we placed a moratorium on jokes about violent rape, but allowed non-violent and statutory rape jokes, for whatever reason, into the social discourse? Is there a distinction, and if so, does it matter when we evaluate a joke about rape?

I am asking these questions because a rather disturbing rape joke was featured in a popular television program in America this week. The majority opinion is that the joke was offensive to rape victims. But, there is a contingent of viewers who feel that, while it may be offensive, the joke was rightfully left uncensored - that some viewers could (somehow) find the joke, in that context, funny.

Perhaps these rape-joke-apologists do not realize how traumatic a comical depiction of rape can be to a person with (or even without) a history of sexual abuse. Or, maybe they are simply trying to make light of a serious situation?  Maybe they believe that comic relief can soothe the ills caused by the existence of rape?

Regardless of whatever noble intentions might be attached to rape jokes, are they ever OK? And if so, in what context?

 

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cormac
Posted Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 4:25 pm Reply Delete
I shared my thoughts on this a bit with you already! but....I think it is wrong to tell anyone they cant do anything in terms of "jokes" Simply put, it was an unfunny joke. As are just about all jokes on that show now. They try to offend to make news, and no longer try to make people laugh... What is wrong though, is anyone telling me what i personally find funny! I think some rape jokes are funny, although sure they are offensive. Should we start policing jokes that may be offensive? okay...no more fat jokes, no more racist jokes, no more abortion jokes, no more skinny jokes, no more sexual jokes, no more financial jokes, no more political jokes etc etc etc. Everyone will find some jokes offensive. Some comics live on making offensive jokes. I just think it is wrong, as you said, to try and censor someone because they tell an offensive joke. But, I personally will not watch the show anymore because it simply is not funny. And others have that choice as well!Report Abuse
zoolady
Posted Tue Feb 9, 2010 at 4:47 pm Reply Delete
I think "political correctness" is a farce in itself! It seems ANY joke can offend SOMEONE and I'm very weary of the "offenses," as well as the "offendees." Laughter is a good way to introduce a topic and get people to think about it. Sometimes a joke is just a joke. Blonde jokes, Polish jokes, "a Jew, a Catholic and an atheist go into a bar" jokes, ... they all appeal to something essential to human nature--the ability to laugh together. I'm standing with Jean James--banning jokes really IS banning free speech, which is far more valuable than "freedom from offense." That Racial and Religious Hatred act was much more serious than an attempt to ban humor. That's based on the idea that even mentioning religion is "offensive" to those of a certain faith, especially if you're an "infidel." We all know this and we know who's behind it. If a joke isn't funny, it's hardly an illegal act.Report Abuse
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cormac
Posted Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 4:25 pm Reply Delete
I shared my thoughts on this a bit with you already! but....I think it is wrong to tell anyone they cant do anything in terms of "jokes" Simply put, it was an unfunny joke. As are just about all jokes on that show now. They try to offend to make news, and no longer try to make people laugh... What is wrong though, is anyone telling me what i personally find funny! I think some rape jokes are funny, although sure they are offensive. Should we start policing jokes that may be offensive? okay...no more fat jokes, no more racist jokes, no more abortion jokes, no more skinny jokes, no more sexual jokes, no more financial jokes, no more political jokes etc etc etc. Everyone will find some jokes offensive. Some comics live on making offensive jokes. I just think it is wrong, as you said, to try and censor someone because they tell an offensive joke. But, I personally will not watch the show anymore because it simply is not funny. And others have that choice as well!Report Abuse
zoolady
Posted Tue Feb 9, 2010 at 4:47 pm Reply Delete
I think "political correctness" is a farce in itself! It seems ANY joke can offend SOMEONE and I'm very weary of the "offenses," as well as the "offendees." Laughter is a good way to introduce a topic and get people to think about it. Sometimes a joke is just a joke. Blonde jokes, Polish jokes, "a Jew, a Catholic and an atheist go into a bar" jokes, ... they all appeal to something essential to human nature--the ability to laugh together. I'm standing with Jean James--banning jokes really IS banning free speech, which is far more valuable than "freedom from offense." That Racial and Religious Hatred act was much more serious than an attempt to ban humor. That's based on the idea that even mentioning religion is "offensive" to those of a certain faith, especially if you're an "infidel." We all know this and we know who's behind it. If a joke isn't funny, it's hardly an illegal act.Report Abuse
Janie Emaus
Posted Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 7:26 pm Reply Delete
Mel said it all for me.Report Abuse
floraljoy
Posted Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 6:08 pm Reply Delete
No matter whether or not a joke is appropiate does not mean anything these days; people will laugh at anything.Report Abuse
Jean James
Posted Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 3:17 pm Reply Delete
Banning offensive jokes regardless of content is the same as banning free speech. Unless your inciting a riot or shouting fire where there is none, then no crime is being committed, but the crime of insensitivity, and since when are comedians considered sensitive? I'm sure nobody flinches too much when it's a prison rape joke.Report Abuse
jo
Posted Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 1:26 pm Reply Delete
Mel, here is a YouTube version of the clip which you might be able to view. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0S6xdSJzmIY I am with you. You are either for free speech or against it. You cannot limit it because it is offensive.Report Abuse
Toni
Posted Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 1:05 pm Reply Delete
I would put it on a par with lynchings. If you think it's OK to joke about them, then it's probably OK to joke about rape. (And I'm not joking.)Report Abuse
DrunkMummy
Posted Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 12:18 pm Reply Delete
I was horrified to hear that there is a supposed 'genre' of rape jokes - the whole thing seems so sick. But then I heard a female comedian telling the following joke and it really made me think about the whole nature of what constitutes a 'joke'. 'Q: Name an activity 9 out of 10 people enjoy. A: Gang rape' Now this still isn't funny - it didn't make me laugh - but it did make me think. It is a 'rape joke' but does it demean rape victims? Should I be prevented from repeating the joke - should I be prevented from discussing gang rape in this way?Report Abuse
Mel
Posted Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 11:51 am Reply Delete
In the Uk in 2005, the House of Lords tried to make 'The Racial and Religious Hatred Act' law. Amongst those speaking out against this Act was a group of comedians and satirists - led by Rowan Atkinson 'Mr Bean' - who were worried that this Act would essentially suppress free speech in satirical form. It appeared for a while that comedians would be unable to use race or religion in their humour. Eventually the Act was made law with some key amendments, and the threat to comedy was lifted. I personally believe that all subjects can be joked about, however, a lot of those jokes might have to be in the privacy of your own home rather than on a TV show. I can't see the video link posted in this article as I'm outside the US, so I can't really comment on this particular case. However, satire/comedy by definition is going to upset someone, whether it's a rape victim or someone with ginger hair. I think it would be totally wrong to ban jokes obout a particular subject just because they will offend someone, somewhere; either we believe in free speech or we don't.Report Abuse

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