Dirty Comedy
Ever listen to a stand-up comedian making fun of white people if he's black, or men if she's a woman? Well I see it all too often and I am taking a stand! (Since at least.. three people will read this.) Everyone wants to make fun of black people and women, but nobody does, and there's reasons for that. But along come these women making fun of what it is like to be a woman! It's ok to make fun of your own group, but once you start making fun of others it's prejudice! Just the other day I saw this guy in a wheelchair doing "stand-up" making fun of how he couldn't stand up! Now I'm sure all of the people watching him were all making fun of his disability in their heads, but no one would say it. The only person that can say it without being a horrible person is the one who is in the condition. So the jokes are already hilarious and in everyone's mind, just waiting for someone to voice them, so all the guy has to do is say them and he's "hilarious!" To me, that is dirty comedy. Saying the unethical jokes that are just plain funny but so wrong, but no one thinks it is unethical to make fun of your own disposition. It's like reverse self pity. I say jokes should be funny because of what they're saying or how they say it, not because of who is saying it. Maybe you disagree, but then consider this, you self-proclaimed all-knowing spawn of readery! What does a guy like me joke about on stand up? I can't make fun of how I'm white or male or make fun of my lack of a remote detonator for a hand (I'm gonna detonate it sometime, but I just don't know what will blow up if I press this button!). The best I could come up with is jokes about how I'm not a superhero, but no one is really thinking that, except the crazy people, and frankly I don't care if they laugh anyway.
Joel Anderson, November 1, 2004
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