Dave2112
Level of Cherry Feather
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2001
- Messages
- 10,292
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I saw something on TV that really bothered me, but let me set up the context of this arguement first.
A few weeks ago, a man where I work was fired from the day shift for telling a racist joke. I repeat the joke here only to put my complaint in proper context:
Q: Why don't blacks and Puerto Ricans mix?
A: Thier kids would be too lazy to steal.
Now, the guy who told this joke deserved to be fired, especially since he told it with several blacks in the store at the time. Never really liked the guy anyway, he's an all-around redneck ass. But here's the funny thing...
There is a promo clip playing on TV right now for a new fall show called "Luis", starring a mostly hispanic cast. The lead actor says something to his wife about why they should have had a boy. "Then he could have grown up to play for the Yankees like a Dominican's supposed to!"
She answers back: "Yeah, but he'd have been half Puerto Rican, so he'd be too lazy to practice."
Almost the same joke that got our redneck friend fired.
My question is this? Why are racial sterotypes not tolerated by our society, but we can market them if performed by the minorities themselves? How can a guy get fired for saying almost the exact same thing that's being promoted with a Pepsi logo in the corner of the screen? Apparently advertisers haven't shied away from this. Has racism and political correctness become selective?
This is simply something that bugged me, because it doesn't make sense. Just wanted to hear some other thoughts.
A few weeks ago, a man where I work was fired from the day shift for telling a racist joke. I repeat the joke here only to put my complaint in proper context:
Q: Why don't blacks and Puerto Ricans mix?
A: Thier kids would be too lazy to steal.
Now, the guy who told this joke deserved to be fired, especially since he told it with several blacks in the store at the time. Never really liked the guy anyway, he's an all-around redneck ass. But here's the funny thing...
There is a promo clip playing on TV right now for a new fall show called "Luis", starring a mostly hispanic cast. The lead actor says something to his wife about why they should have had a boy. "Then he could have grown up to play for the Yankees like a Dominican's supposed to!"
She answers back: "Yeah, but he'd have been half Puerto Rican, so he'd be too lazy to practice."
Almost the same joke that got our redneck friend fired.
My question is this? Why are racial sterotypes not tolerated by our society, but we can market them if performed by the minorities themselves? How can a guy get fired for saying almost the exact same thing that's being promoted with a Pepsi logo in the corner of the screen? Apparently advertisers haven't shied away from this. Has racism and political correctness become selective?
This is simply something that bugged me, because it doesn't make sense. Just wanted to hear some other thoughts.





