A certain episode of “Tosh.0,” starring comedian Daniel Tosh,
making a rape joke has circulated the internet hundred-fold, and drawn
critiques from two different camps: the "it's just comedy, lighten
up" camp, and the "some things should never be joked about, ever"
camp.
For those who haven't heard, here is what happened: Tosh made a series of generalizing comments about rape jokes being hilarious. A woman in the crowd became outraged, and called him out in the middle of the show: "Actually, rape is never funny!" Tosh fired back, "Wouldn't it be hilarious if, like, five guys just raped her right now?" Maniacal laughter ensued.
You may be thinking that the likelihood of a gang rape occurring in the middle of a comedy act is next to zero. However, it doesn’t matter if the threat of violence was real or not: that comment was meant to "put her in her place," so to speak, which it did: the woman ran straight for the nearest exit.
Why do we tell oppressive jokes? A better question: why do we find oppressive jokes funny?
There are tasteful ways to use humor to promote social
examination of serious issues. But there are some lines that should not be
crossed when it comes to comedy. When the end result of a joke is further
oppression, and further promotion of already existing stereotypes, the joke is
no longer funny. It's cruel.
Before you go on to accuse me of stomping on the First Amendment, consider the effect that rape jokes, like those made by Daniel Tosh, have on a society that is already poisoned by rape culture. It's very similar to the reason it's frowned upon to yell "Fire!" in a crowded theater.
Rape jokes trivialize a devastating, life-altering event. It’s racist and inappropriate to make jokes about lynch mobs; why is it not prejudiced and inappropriate to make jokes about other acts of violence?
Rape jokes can potentially justify further violence. However, if a woman was raped outside the set of Tosh.0, Daniel Tosh is not to be held liable. At the same time, a man of his influence is not doing victims any favors by perpetuating a "She was asking for it" mentality. She interrupted a comedy show? She's "asking" to get raped. She wore a short skirt to a club? She clearly wants to get laid. She left her drink unattended? She should have known what was coming to her. There may not be direct causation between Tosh's jokes and men who go and commit rape, but there is definite correlation.
Sadly, Daniel Tosh is far from the only symptom of what is wrong with society's response to rape. We live in a culture that makes it acceptable for these jokes to be told, and look what happened: Tosh’s ratings increased. We live in a culture where making fun of violence is okay, and we forget that the victims can just as easily be people we know. We may already know these victims, but men like Tosh have shamed them into silence.
Before you go on to accuse me of stomping on the First Amendment, consider the effect that rape jokes, like those made by Daniel Tosh, have on a society that is already poisoned by rape culture. It's very similar to the reason it's frowned upon to yell "Fire!" in a crowded theater.
Rape jokes trivialize a devastating, life-altering event. It’s racist and inappropriate to make jokes about lynch mobs; why is it not prejudiced and inappropriate to make jokes about other acts of violence?
Rape jokes can potentially justify further violence. However, if a woman was raped outside the set of Tosh.0, Daniel Tosh is not to be held liable. At the same time, a man of his influence is not doing victims any favors by perpetuating a "She was asking for it" mentality. She interrupted a comedy show? She's "asking" to get raped. She wore a short skirt to a club? She clearly wants to get laid. She left her drink unattended? She should have known what was coming to her. There may not be direct causation between Tosh's jokes and men who go and commit rape, but there is definite correlation.
Sadly, Daniel Tosh is far from the only symptom of what is wrong with society's response to rape. We live in a culture that makes it acceptable for these jokes to be told, and look what happened: Tosh’s ratings increased. We live in a culture where making fun of violence is okay, and we forget that the victims can just as easily be people we know. We may already know these victims, but men like Tosh have shamed them into silence.
No comments:
Post a Comment