Just Jokes: Walking the Line between Humor and Racism

Today I visited the blog, Stuff White People Like. It offers a list of random things that, well, white people supposedly like. The tone is humorously informational, and the list includes things like sushi, dogs and recycling. It is completely general and even stereotypical, but this is readily understood (unlike the website, www.blackpeopleloveus.com, which appears to be satire, but lacks necessary humor).  

I was cautious as I wasn’t immediately sure if SWPL would be amusing or offensive. After perusing the postings, I deemed it light and funny. I didn’t read every comment for every post, but I was able to gather that the visitors’ consensus mirrored my evaluation, regardless of race. 

One visitor mentioned that if there was a similar site for black people, it would almost surely be considered racist. I have to agree. Even if the list for black people included stereotypes that weren’t necessarily offensive (chicken, gold fronts, pit bulls), black people are extremely sensitive when it comes to this brand of humor, especially if the author is not black. 

Background information about SWPL’s author(s) is not provided. The ‘Contact Info’ blurb on the front page of the blog asks ”Do you know of stuff that white people like that we don’t?” so it is assumed he/she/they are not white. This anonymity comes across as an intriguing necessity for the blogger, but leads me to a certain conundrum: I don’t particularly mind not knowing the identity of the author(s) if  don’t find the content offensive, but that changes when it is malicious or racist. 

Writing a blog of this type obviously opens the doors for odious and racist comments. An anonymous blogger gave an offensive list of things blacks and other minorities are fond of (welfare, shooting heroin, gang warfare). The person ends the list with “don’t you dare call me racist!!!” If you have an opinion, however unpopular, why hide behind anonymity?  

Too often in the online world, racists spew garbage but never have the gall to stand behind their views. And that works my nerves. But what appears to be cowardice for some is inexplicably acceptable to me in the instance of this blogger’s identity. Go figure.

It is my belief that jokes containing truisms about different cultures are okay, and that sometimes the black community can be a little too sensitive, albeit understandably. But there should always be an underlying thread of respect. There is chatter in the blogosphere about this very idea (see Understanding and Correcting Online Bigotry), and I think its well worth more exploration.

Super Tuesday Looms: Voting Race, Gender or (Duh!) Issues?

CNN has taken flak over the last couple of weeks regarding an article that posed a seemingly simple question about the South Carolina Primary: Will black women vote based on their race or their gender? Ironically, it’s the simplicity of this question that complicates everything. But with Super Tuesday upon us, it is well worth discussion. 

Many black women took offense to the article because of its superficial nature. It effectively reduced black female voters’ choices to race and gender only. This implied that instead of voting on the things that matter (national security, experience, government spending, etc), black women are torn between supporting – or selling out – their race or their gender. 

The comments posted after the article ranged from mild to hot. Most shook their fingers at the presumption that black women would vote using such meaningless qualifications. One reader cleverly pointed out that black women aren’t the only set that might think about race vs. gender, assuming that’s all that mattered to them. White men could be presented with the same “dilemma;” Clinton is white and Obama is a man. But that avenue is ignored.  

Others readers flat-out cried racism, which I believe takes the debate a step too far. I too was slightly offended. The idea that black women would focus on important issues instead of race or gender was mentioned as an afterthought as opposed to a decision-making priority. But I don’t think the question was racist. When CNN aired a piece about the article and subsequent backlash, one commentator compared the race vs. gender question to asking a Mormon voter if she will support Romney or not. Or asking a southerner if she’s more inclined to vote for a southern candidate.

Asking about race and gender in this election is valid, but it should not be left to stand alone when exploring black female voters. Let’s face it, we do vote on the issues, but we consider other more superficial factors as well. I am excited that Obama is black, that Clinton is a woman, and both of them have a viable chance at becoming our nation’s next president. For me, it isn’t about race or gender at all. It is okay for either to matter, but neither should be a determinant in choosing our next leader.