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Clint Eastwood says we should all be racist

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Jokes aren't harmless, they should be. You misinterpreted what I was saying
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Wha? If enough people joke on a guy for being fat, the fat jokes aren't going to be harmless.

Then you have to worry about the attitudes in those jokes come out in anger. It happens all of the time. I don't even see whats so funny about: 'insert race' does this; but 'insert race' does it like this!'
 
Tamanon said:
I don't think it's the younger generation that's the problem here. I mean Boondocks, Chapelle, even -ugh- Carlos Mencia is pretty young stuff. It's the middle-aged folks, the ones who lived though some of the rougher times that are the uptight ones.
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I think that is a good point, there. I grew up after all of the shit really hit the fan and there were real, honest to God, struggles. I've come to the realization that the only reason I care about race, sexual orientation, etc., is because I've been told to care. Because really? I don't care. By not caring it may seem insentive to the general public of America but really, it's a step above their perception of the issue, imo. When we get older, I have a feeling things are going to be getting a little bit better in regards to this issue, actually.
 
Owen said:
Yes, I 'stereotyped' him... to illustrate a point. Apparently you missed it.

Also, did you read my first post in the thread? Ribbing among friends IS FINE. You and your buddies know what your boundaries are, whether that be offensive terms are off limits or offensive terms are ok because anything goes with you guys. What's NOT OK is doing it in public, or around people you don't know, and claiming people these days are just too sensitive and need to get over it.
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Fucking hell, quit it. That was not why you did it. The point, in your own words:
The point I'm making is, until you've experienced racism or bigotry, you don't really get it. Even though this poster says he's not a straight, white male, he admitted he's never experienced any kind of racism where he's from. Thus my points stands.
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Your point was to try an defend the virtue of all the downtrodden minorities of the world by showing this poster he could not possibly hold an opinion that would be worthy of consideration.

I think we agree that most often it is best done amongst friends who understand each other intentions, but comics have been making use of race for ages. As i said earlier, Dave Chappelle has been using racial stereotypes in his comedy for years, offending some, but amusing many. You cannot blanket ban anything which may be offensive. You need to look at the context, the intention, and the audience. There will be times when making a Polack joke is entirely fine, even if they are the under informed white straight males you seem to dislike. Humour thrives on the discomfort brought about by questioning the limits of acceptability. Why do you think toilet humour is so popular with small kids?

We probably agree more than we disagree, but you jumping on your high horse about stereotyping, then doing it yourself, then trying to cover it up is not helping.
 
Owen said:
Yes, I 'stereotyped' him... to illustrate a point. Apparently you missed it.

Also, did you read my first post in the thread? Ribbing among friends IS FINE. You and your buddies know what your boundaries are, whether that be offensive terms are off limits or offensive terms are ok because anything goes with you guys. What's NOT OK is doing it in public, or around people you don't know, and claiming people these days are just too sensitive and need to get over it.
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+2
 
Being that he's 79, I have to wonder what "former times" he's talking about. Because I'm sure racist jokes in the 80s-90s were a lot different than racist jokes in the 40s, 50s, and 60s.
 
karasu said:
Wha? If enough people joke on a guy for being fat, the fat jokes aren't going to be harmless.

Then you have to worry about the attitudes in those jokes come out in anger. It happens all of the time. I don't even see whats so funny about: 'insert race' does this; but 'insert race' does it like this!'
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"Wha?" to you. You didn't even counter against what I was saying.

Lesath said:
Why stop at race? Let's tell jokes degrading to women too. Screw their feelings; nobody should have them.
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Okay? Women (and men) jokes are far more socially exceptable. Hell, there are entire family sitcoms based around them...

gofreak said:
The problem with humour about race or nationality is that..is that it can be used offensively, as well as in a good-natured way...well, that's not so much the problem, but that there is a strong historical context of it being used offensively.

That's why people are sensitive about it. I can see how race-etc. related humour is acceptable and enjoyable in some contexts, but in others, where the intentions of the other person aren't necessarily clear or you don't know the person..then..that's 'different'.

edit - I'm speaking from personal experience of 'gay' jokes and humour rather than race-related, but I think the basic principles apply wrt. how such humour can and has been used offensively.
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This is one of the better posts about this issue in the thread.
 
eh, i have friends who make jokes that many would consider to be racist, but it doesn't bother me because there's no real malice behind it. they're throw away jokes that aren't meant to be taken seriously.

i agree with clint.
 
The problem with humour about race or nationality is that..is that it can be used offensively, as well as in a good-natured way...well, that's not so much the problem, but that there is a strong historical context of it being used offensively.

That's why people are sensitive about it. I can see how race-etc. related humour is acceptable and enjoyable in some contexts, but in others, where the intentions of the other person aren't necessarily clear or you don't know the person..then..that's 'different'.

edit - I'm speaking from personal experience of 'gay' jokes and humour rather than race-related, but I think the basic principles apply wrt. how such humour can and has been used offensively.
 
Lesath said:
We're talking about comedians?
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We're talking about humor and discrimination. There are entire sitcoms based around the premise of gender stereotypes. (Both male and female.) I think we can actually learn something from the way women "take it on the cheek" so to speak. (<-- Sexist joke) ;)

KHarvey16 said:
Is it a taboo subject in every day conversation in your neighborhood?
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I could only assume it isn't. I think his thought sounded better in his head.
 
Lesath said:
We're talking about comedians?
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what comedians should have a different set of rules?

It's pretty clear that jokes can be funny as long as they are in the right context and if they're in another context they can be insulting and rude. It all depends on the situation. but society these days seems to be hypersensitive. Theres at least a level Orange P.C alert at all times it seems.
 
goodcow said:
Clint Eastwood says we should all be racist #1
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Why do people feel the need to sensationalize their thread titles in order to score extra views?
 
So he wants real life to be like Xbox Live? I think I'll pass.

I'm all for racial jokes, I personally love them, but casual racism for the sake of humor sounds like a pretty fucking awful idea.
 
Eastwood probably loved Street Fighter 2 back in its day.

I think he has it right and the PC police should pipe down and learn to loosen up a little.
 
Totally agree with him. Anything and everything is deemed racist today. I often make fun of my friends of different nationalities and they laugh with me about it - there is absolutely no malice behind what I say, and anyway I'm foreign myself, I get jokes thrown my way too.
 
I agree with him, nowadays more people get offended by the idea of these jokes that the actual people involved.
 
catfish said:
what comedians should have a different set of rules?

It's pretty clear that jokes can be funny as long as they are in the right context and if they're in another context they can be insulting and rude. It all depends on the situation. but society these days seems to be hypersensitive. Theres at least a level Orange P.C alert at all times it seems.
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You're right, of course, but there's a difference between when a comedian says it, and when it is said amongst friends.

Do you berate your kids for being sensitive if they get bullied? If you do, do you truly think that it is more the fault of your own child than the bully?

I do agree that the degree of political correctness that has taken over today is fairly extreme, what with even my history professor calling blacks "African Americans." However, I find it flawed, and this is the context to which I assume Clint to be speaking, to think that just because "Sam the Jew" or "Jose the Mexican" don't react outwardly in a negative manner in response to cracks, doesn't mean that they weren't offended. And truly, if you don't care about what they think, why are you their friend?
 
I'm the only one who finds "I find that ridiculous. In those earlier days every friendly clique had a 'Sam the Jew' or 'Jose the Mexican' - but we didn't think anything of it or have a racist thought. It was just normal that we made jokes based on our nationality or ethnicity. That was never a problem. I don't want to be politically correct." disturbing? Clint was born in 1930, I think there's a good chance that 'Sam the Jew' or 'Jose the Mexican' didn't find their titles humorous considering the era they were growing up in.
 
While I loved Gran Torino, I'm going to disagree

stand-up comics make race jokes all the time, but THEY'RE NOT FUNNY*

*not because it might be offensive, but rather the jokes themselves just lack humor and creativity
 
Politically incorrect jokes are funny, because it seems ridiculous that anyone would actually believe what's being said. That's the way it should be. Obviously there will always be some sort of malice between people. You can't get rid of it. But as long as people understand that everyone is the same, these sorts of jokes shouldn't hurt anyone. I think that's what Clint is getting at.
 
durendal said:
Politically incorrect jokes are funny, because it seems ridiculous that anyone would actually believe what's being said. That's the way it should be. Obviously there will always be some sort of malice between people. You can't get rid of it. But as long as people understand that everyone is the same, these sorts of jokes shouldn't hurt anyone. I think that's what Clint is getting at.
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It's hard to reinforce the idea that "everyone is the same" when you make a crack at how different your friend is. And while it's often understood that there is no personal malice behind the words, it does not necessarily mean that the words are not offensive.
 
Dr. Kitty Muffins said:
Eastwood probably loved Street Fighter 2 back in its day.

I think he has it right and the PC police should pipe down and learn to loosen up a little.
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are you implying some sort of racist undertones to sf2 now? For fucks sake.
 
shuri said:
are you implying some sort of racist undertones to sf2 now? For fucks sake.
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Its racist to imply that a black man could be a boxer, or that a Chinese woman might be good at kung-fu, dont ya know ....
 
100% agree with Eastwood. I complained about the fact that things similar to what he's talking about happen on GAF all the time in another thread recently. GAF should take this mans advice.
 
I'm a little bit confused by where you draw the line on political correctness.

Let's use a practical example.

On this forum you can be banned for using the c, f and n words. (I'm not going to say them because I don't want to get into trouble again over this; you all know what they are anyway). Are you people rallying against political correctness saying that we should be allowed to say whatever we want, whenever we want, to whomever we want? Why would you want to call a gay person the f word, a woman the c word or a black person the n word? Because it's funny to you? If that's not what it is, then where do you draw the line on language? I don't quite understand.

Lesath said:
You're right, of course, but there's a difference between when a comedian says it, and when it is said amongst friends.

Do you berate your kids for being sensitive if they get bullied? If you do, do you truly think that it is more the fault of your own child than the bully?

I do agree that the degree of political correctness that has taken over today is fairly extreme, what with even my history professor calling blacks "African Americans." However, I find it flawed, and this is the context to which I assume Clint to be speaking, to think that just because "Sam the Jew" or "Jose the Mexican" don't react outwardly in a negative manner in response to cracks, doesn't mean that they weren't offended. And truly, if you don't care about what they think, why are you their friend?
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Isn't "black" politically correct as well? No one goes around calling black people "negroes" or "colored" anymore, right? And even if they did, if you heard those terms, you'd probably think it was a strange or outdated way to refer to black people, no?
 
Basically, what he's saying is we should be more open to jokes about races.

Like, If my friend stole some shit, I could say 'well you know, he's black afterall...' without going into jail for racism.

It's just moderation, but where it gets difficult is to determine what is acceptable and what is not, especially if you call out someone popular.
 
Raging Spaniard said:
Its racist to imply that a black man could be a boxer, or that a Chinese woman might be good at kung-fu, dont ya know ....
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It's not racist but it's obvious that most of the characters are perpetuating stereotypes. African American - Boxer, Asian - Martial Arts, American - Soldier, Indian - I don't even have to say anything, etc.

{Mike} said:
Basically, what he's saying is we should be more open to jokes about races.

Like, If my friend stole some shit, I could say 'well you know, he's black afterall...' without going into jail for racism.

It's just moderation, but where it gets difficult is to determine what is acceptable and what is not, especially if you call out someone popular.
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How about no :lol
 
harSon said:
It's not racist but it's obvious that most of the characters are perpetuating stereotypes. African American - Boxer, Asian - Martial Arts, American - Soldier, Indian - I don't even have to say anything, etc.
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Theres a difference between racism and stereotypes dude. Stereotypes are not offensive in nature, just a generalization that may or may not be accurate ... for instance, good luck trying to find a Spaniard that would be offended because an American assumes that we like bullfighting and soccer. I dont like bullfighting, but its not offensive to think a foreigner would think that I do. Generalizing that black people steal is definitely offensive though, it all depends on whats being said and most definitely the tone.

Racism is done with malicious intent, theres no malice in Capcom making a boxer black, its just a use of a stereotype, theyre not hating on anybody or degrading anybody and thus not racist.
 
Raging Spaniard said:
Theres a difference between racism and stereotypes dude. Stereotypes are not offensive in nature, just a generalization that may or may not be accurate ... for instance, good luck trying to find a Spaniard that would be offended because an American assumes that we like bullfighting and soccer. I dont like bullfighting, but its not offensive to think a foreigner would think that I do.

Racism is done with malicious intent, theres no malice in Capcom making a boxer black, its just a use of a stereotype, theyre not hating on anybody or degrading anybody and thus not racist.
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A stereotype is the foundation of racism, they're directly related which is why the words are interchangeable in a lot of cases, it's true that they're not always racist in nature but it's certainly a possibility. Having said that, I never said Street Fighter 2 was racist, matter of fact, I clearly stated that Street Fighter 2 was not racist. Anyways, this is clearly off topic and I'm pretty sure you guys misinterpreted the poster who brought it up. I think he was agreeing with Clint and using Street Fighter 2 as an example :lol
 
Raging Spaniard said:
Theres a difference between racism and stereotypes dude. Stereotypes are not offensive in nature, just a generalization that may or may not be accurate ... for instance, good luck trying to find a Spaniard that would be offended because an American assumes that we like bullfighting and soccer. I dont like bullfighting, but its not offensive to think a foreigner would think that I do. Generalizing that black people steal is definitely offensive though, it all depends on whats being said and most definitely the tone.

Racism is done with malicious intent, theres no malice in Capcom making a boxer black, its just a use of a stereotype, theyre not hating on anybody or degrading anybody and thus not racist.
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Thats funny. Some people would think ignorance about someone's race would be offensive in nature.

Also, In general, Just because its a joke, that does not make it funny or right all the time.
 
He does make a point. People are such pussies these days and don't know how to take a joke. People make jokes about me being black all the time (I like chicken, have spinning rims on my car and I have a massive cock, ect). But hey, I just say shit back. My best friend in the world is hispanic (100% Mexican in fact). We talk shit to each other all the time :lol
 
-PXG- said:
He does make a point. People are such pussies these days and don't know how to take a joke. People make jokes about me being black all the time (I like chicken, have spinning rims on my car and I have a massive cock, ect). But hey, I just say shit back. My best friend in the world is hispanic (100% Mexican in fact). We talk shit to each other all the time :lol
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Thats the thing, do random people say shit to you or people at your job?
Its only cool for friends to do it, imo.
 
There can be a fine line between 'just joking', and meaning it.

On the one hand, it sucks to have no sense of humour, or the freedom to just be silly.

On the other, it is entirely possible to be particularly malicious with comments, but hide behind the pretence of it being 'just a joke'.
 
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