Revealing Some Ridiculous Aspects, Essay Example

Ethnic jokes are supposed to reveal some ridiculous aspects attribute of a character personifying the entire ethnic group. These derided traits represent the stereotype formed about this ethnicity in society. Nevertheless, these jokes do not disclose the truthful qualities ascribed by them to different nations. Joke-teller does not obligatory believe that personages representing a nation possess a quality attributed to them.

They may express the antagonism between two ethnicities. For instance, British jokes mock at Irish “stupidity”. Evidently, it does not mean that Irishmen are foolish. These jokes express the attitude of the British towards their countrymen rooting in historical events. Australian ethnic jokes presumably aim at Aborigines, who are portrayed like thieves, lazy, and dirty (How to call an Abo in a Rolls-Royce? – A thief).

Ethnic jokes are a significant part of American humor, despite universal, national urge towards political and racial correctness. In the multicultural society, these jokes may concern African Americans, Latin Americans, and Jewish, German or Polish immigrants. They relate to physical characteristics (skin color), intelligence/ stupidity, drinking. Viewed from the standpoint of a person belonging to an ethic minority, they are demeaning, offensive, and humiliating. On the other hand, jokes of other kind (jokes of religious people, homosexuals, blonds, and disabled people) do offend the people who may relate to the characters, aside from race. Evidently, it is impossible to make them a taboo to pursue correctness.

The effect of ethnic jokes also depends on particular setting, the company listening to it. The joke about the concept of “blackness” may seem funny in a close family circle. The same joke bears oppressive and cruel message when told by a white man, with a black person in his sight. It acquires offensive characteristics, because it points at the long-term hurting of self-esteem and dignity of the black people in the country. Moreover, in such a situation it signifies the hostile feelings of a joke-teller towards the “target” of his joke. Sometimes, they help the teller to assert himself.