"We find it funny so, if you find it offensive, you must have no sense of humour."To me this is the core message of the Right's argument that the Left has no sense of humour. So much of what they find amusing consists of subjugating people who fall outside the powerful groups in society - i.e., ultimately anyone who is not a wealthy white male. Oddly enough, people on the Left often object to this, because it contributes to the marginalisation of people who are already disempowered by society. In response, the Right jumps up and down and says that the Left has no sense of humour. Of course, if they are laughing it must be OK. How could anyone object?
These are the same arguments that were (and still are) used in workplaces to justify most forms of sexual harassment. Why is it that some men still can't seem to understand that the fact that they (as a member of the most powerful group in society) find something funny does not make it beyond objection? It is far easier to find something funny when it does not threaten you in any way.
Why can't they understand that this kind of 'humour' contributes to the objectification of women (or the marginalisation of other groups) and normalises attitudes of the same kind, thus allowing people to justify actions based on those attitudes? In the case of women, this includes everything from judging an individual solely by their looks to sexual assault and rape.
Once again, AARGH!
Where is P when I need someone to sympathise with me?
7 more sleeps.
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