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News and Editorials The Real Problem with Ethnic Humor in Media L.A. Chung's column on movie depictions of Sikhs
illustrates a perennial problem in this multi-cultural society: One man's
humor is another man's horror!
Ethnic humor has always been a social staple. That doesn't make it acceptable; it's not harmless. Even when it's used to show the stupidity of the joker, it's just as dangerous. Ignorance has
proven exceedingly dangerous to the targets of ethnic humor in America.
People are quite willing to take out their fears and frustrations on
people unlike themselves, including beatings and murder!
What makes it possible for ordinary people to
turn on their neighbors is both a motivating emotion (fear, pain) and
seeing them as less than human. Ethnic humor, like all stereotyping,
sets the stage for seeing others as less than ourselves.
Movies and TV are where most Americans learn who's
inØ and outØ, how to behave, and what you can get away with towards
others. That makes the portrayal of ethnicity no laughing matter in the
media.
Recently, Sikhs were struggling with a destructive videogame depicting them as targets. When will we respect their feelings as well as their safety? Bart A. Charlow, President |
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