Confession

[VINYLONE]

Well, this thread escalated pretty quickly.

 

[BTP]

Maybe we're talking about different notions of "offended". I'm generally offended by marginalizing stereotypes of any sort. I don't need to be female to express my disapproval at sexism, nor gay to express my disapproval of homophobia, nor elderly to express my disapproval of ageism, etc. I don't need to project myself into being female, gay, old, etc. to feel that sort of offense.

As for whence the sadness comes, I know what I would explain it as (the disconnect between the real and the ideal), but who knows if I'm lying to myself about that?

I totally understand that mocking is not everybody's type of humor. But it's one of the oldest reported types of humor. So I understand that it comes natural to a lot of people from a young age, including me. Ever seen a young kid showing Schadenfreude? Read the Jahlil Okafor story with him ridiculing his mom while she was dieing? Most of the people that show this don't mean it personally and aren't serious about what they say. They say something because it triggers their sense for humor. Just look at colton's story. That reaction leaves multiple interpretations and one is highly offensive. Yet I bet a lot of Mexicans would laugh about it.
I understand that if you were ever a victim of religious prosecution in a non provoked situation that you definately have a right to complain about it. In fact I wouldn't pull such a joke in front of you if I knew about such a situation connected to you or a close relative. But stereotypes and experiencing harm are two totally different things.

 

[One Brow]

I totally understand that mocking is not everybody's type of humor.

I have no problem with some types of mockery. It's possible to be funny mocking rapists, but not rape victims. Men, but not women. The wealthy, but not the poor. The general concept is called "punching up" (mocking those with societal advantages) versus "punching down". Part fo the reason is that punching up tends to go against the cultural context, while punching down usually reinforces it.

 

[Dr. Jones]

I have no problem with some types of mockery. It's possible to be funny mocking rapists, but not rape victims. Men, but not women. The wealthy, but not the poor. The general concept is called "punching up" (mocking those with societal advantages) versus "punching down". Part fo the reason is that punching up tends to go against the cultural context, while punching down usually reinforces it.

This is OT, but this post made me feel the need to share as it is loosely related.

I have gone several 'missions.' Not of the LDS multi-year variety, but rather just a few weeks at a time. Each time before I go, I think to myself how much I should be able to 'help' the people I'm going to visit. Each time I am again humbled that they gave me more than I could have ever given them.

While I had money to offer and some care and concern, as well.. I was severely lacking, in comparison to them, in what they could unintentionally teach me.

I could hand someone a hundred dollars for groceries (which to me was somewhat meaningless in the grand scheme of things), but I would witness an entire family pooling ALL of the food they could gather to welcome us and thank us for visiting... not knowing, nor worrying about, where the next meal would come from.

What I saw every time were a people happier than I was. More 'blessed' than I have ever been. I learned much from them.. and have forgotten too many of those lessons having been re-subjected to American measures of 'happiness.'

So as we're punching up or down, perhaps we think in terms of happiness and sadness vs. rich or poor, fat or skinny..

 

[babe]

This is OT, but this post made me feel the need to share as it is loosely related.

I have gone several 'missions.' Not of the LDS multi-year variety, but rather just a few weeks at a time. Each time before I go, I think to myself how much I should be able to 'help' the people I'm going to visit. Each time I am again humbled that they gave me more than I could have ever given them.

While I had money to offer and some care and concern, as well.. I was severely lacking, in comparison to them, in what they could unintentionally teach me.

I could hand someone a hundred dollars for groceries (which to me was somewhat meaningless in the grand scheme of things), but I would witness an entire family pooling ALL of the food they could gather to welcome us and thank us for visiting... not knowing, nor worrying about, where the next meal would come from.

What I saw every time were a people happier than I was. More 'blessed' than I have ever been. I learned much from them.. and have forgotten too many of those lessons having been re-subjected to American measures of 'happiness.'

So as we're punching up or down, perhaps we think in terms of happiness and sadness vs. rich or poor, fat or skinny..

wait, was this in the Philippines????

I don't get the whole two-week "mission" idea. Aren't missionaries supposed to be boiled in the stew to truly become "one with the people" they went to serve? And in that sense, going to "serve" and ending up "being served"/??????