Jade Down Under

Knock, knock… A man walks into a bar… Why did the chicken cross the road? These are all typical beginnings to well known jokes, but what makes a joke a joke? The definition of a joke (as far as I know) is something that is funny and creates a laugh. Although the chickens outcome no longer elicits even a giggle it is still categorized as a joke. So how do you know when a joke is not one? There are grey areas when it comes to gender and race “jokes.” I laugh at the odd blonde joke, but should I? What jokes are so NOT funny that they are no longer jokes? With the amount of hatred and discrimination in the world can we laugh at the odd race or gender joke and not consider the context behind it?

Or, am I too sensitive? Can being too sensitive cause more of an issue than necessary? Are the too-sensitive people of the world creating further issues by overemphasizing the meaning in jokes? Or by not addressing the issue are we turning our backs on humanity? For this argument I think of the Oprah episode (that’s all I got) where she was looking at the racists slurs some cultures have adapted to have different connotations when used by their own race. So, does that work with jokes too? Can I only make white, female jokes because I’m white and female? What if I hear a joke about another race or gender, even if it’s about their own race/gender? Am I to turn a deaf ear because I'm not a member of that race? Or should I acknowledge that it is a joke? Oprah thought it was ridiculous to use any discriminatory language no matter the connotation. If the word/joke is born from hatred how can it ever be anything but?

I don’t know. In 5 months I will be a teacher and need to have these answers, not because a student may ask but because I need to know where I stand.

There was an incident years ago that perhaps has made me more sensitive, or more aware of meaning when comparing race. My friends and I were on our way home from a sporting event in Toronto and a man was entertaining us (in Union Station) with impressions of The Rock; you know, wrestling? He was quite good and we were all laughing and egging him on, having a great time. A bunch of drunk, white guys sitting a few seats down from us began yelling racist slurs, things that even at the age of 16 I couldn’t comprehend. Being a white girl from Pickering I had never been directly affected by racism and thinking about that night still brings back those horrible feelings. I ran and got security but the damage was already done. The ‘Rock’ gentleman kept telling us girls it was alright, not to worry, everything was fine, but it wasn’t. The words those guys used were not the ones found in knock, knock jokes and are the very basis for my understanding of how a joke can turn ugly really quick.

As a soon-to-be teacher I will have the stance that no tolerance is best. How can I preach equality and equity if the odd discriminatory joke finds its way into my email? Perhaps I am being too sensitive but I'd rather be too sensitive with a job and morals than ignorant and unemployed.