video: “WHOA!” moments
I have been waiting for the DVD to be released so I could finally post just 15 seconds of this episode:
[flv:lando_whoa.flv 500 376]
There have been quite a few articles, blog entries and videos regarding racism and casual racism like this. Honestly, I don’t have much to add because it should be a no-brainer. The incident that prompted this took place on twitter. A friend–well, someone I’m following–made a comment, putting it forth as a joke, that gave me a “WHOA!” moment. What was even worse was the response was, “You know you laughed.” Yeah… I didn’t laugh.
What bothers me most is that it most often desperately tries to fall under one of the following two “passes”:
- I’m an “oppressed” minority, so it’s ok for me to make these jokes* or
- I–sometimes exclusively–date or am married to the minority I’m making fun of.
When what it really comes down to is, “I thought I was speaking in a group where I could get away with it.” Which, when you’re using social media that pretty much broadcasts to the world… is kind of a dumb thought. Most people wouldn’t even bother to think twice, even when called on it. They believe that all of their friends are totally cool with their crappy offensive statements that it never occurs to them anyone in their circle of friends would have a problem with the things they’re saying. Someone’s even told me, “Look, I can’t apologize for everything,” never realizing that not saying the offensive crap in the first place might be the way to go.
No one’s perfect, not even me**, so I’ve never expected someone to flip a switch and just make everyone not only speak of others with appropriate respect, but also realize that you can be funny without putting others down–it just takes a little more effort than most are willing to put into it.
And just in case anyone is so vain, they think this post is about them–it might be, or it might not. I may judge in silence, but at least I’m willing to make the criteria public. 
* I should say that by oppressed minority, this often means white male homosexuals, yet without factoring one iota of male white privilege into it.
** Yep, I admitted it, happy now? 😉
Wait, are you saying the “Family Guy” clip is racist? Or are you just calling out racism in general, and/or the gay community specifically?
.-= latest entry: More silent monks =-.
On Family Guy, it’s been a subtle running gag that the character of Brian is a racist, but a casual one regardless of the fact that one of the other characters always calls him out on it. I think the overall joke is funny because they’re transferring that trait to Brian as Chewbacca, but it’s clear that once again he’s making a comment that he thinks he can get away with and finds out that he’s dead wrong.
That’s what I love about what they do with Brian, Brian* – he’s got exactly the racism you describe (I love the “that was my father talking!” line he used when the family became a pop band), but no one lets him get away with it, and it’s clear it’s not cool. As usual, MacFarland gets his societal digs in and makes us laugh at the same time.
Then again, sometimes his queer material makes me squirm, too, but I guess in the end I think that’s a good thing – he’s making me think as well as everybody else.
*Sorry, couldn’t resist! 😛
.-= latest entry: More silent monks =-.
“I’ve never expected someone to flip a switch and just make everyone not only speak of others with appropriate respect, but also realize that you can be funny without putting others down–it just takes a little more effort than most are willing to put into it.”
I really like this. Thanks.
.-= latest entry: tengo una cita con m’ija =-.
Wait – was this show broadcast? I thought it was straight to DVD.
It was straight to DVD, I had some advance scenes but wanted to wait to post this so as not to cause the dreaded SPOILERS!