I read something once in a blog somewhere on a chatroom that doesn't or does exist. The blog or the post, I don't remember exactly what it was or if it is even real, pointed out that sometimes you might say something funny but what you said was actuallly hurtful to someone. That what may seem like a joke to one person, may feel like an attack to another.
This is a common theme comedians and frat boys run into all the time. The thought process in both groups of people is basically the same: "I have something funny to say. I KNOW that some or a lot of people are not going to find it funny and some are going to be hurt by it. I'm going to say it anyway."
For me, I've made the personal choice not to engage in humor if it means someone might take it the wrong way. I sacrifice my ego for the greater good. Like Jesus, I guess. Here's an example of why self-restraint in humor is so important: As I was writing this I imagined a poster of a Tabby Cat sitting at the foot of the cross, looking up at crucified Jesus, with a banner that read "HANG IN THERE!" across the top.
Funny, right? I know! But I also know that someone who locks their child in a closet and makes them pray for a full day when they catch them masturbating, might be offended by the comment.
So I refrain.
But not everyone is as P.C. as Mister A. I get that.
I've heard disgusting jokes that other people, besides me, thought were funny. And even though I laughed at most of them (all of them), I was genuinely offended by a few.
But...
I was offended for a few seconds. Then I forgot about it. Not just because meth has ruined my short term memory, but aslo because a hurtful joke shouldn't really hurt that much. If something hurts me so bad that I feel personally violaated, I realize I just have to deal with it. It's my responsibility, not the jokesters. Sometimes dealing with it might mean trying to hurt the person with nastier words. Sometimes it might mean I shrug it off. And sometimes it might mean that I leave cabfare on the nightstand. Call me!
I guess what I'm saying is, it's my responsibility and choice to decide if I give such power to a person making a rude joke. Do I hold on to my hurt and grudge the way a Scottsman holds on to three pennies? Or do I simply pay less attention to it than a lesbian pays attention to fashion?
I can't stop you from making a joke. I can only choose how I react to it.
And before you get all bent out of shape about any of the comments I made here, you should know that one of my best friends is black.
