Photo by Andrew Black
I get a lot of emails everyday. A LOT. Yesterday, I got an email from someone I’ve known for a very long time. It was a forwarded email with a short note attached and was, in the sender’s mind, quite humorous.
Only, I didn’t find it funny in the least. I found it really offensive. And I bet, if the person who sent it really read what was sent and thought about it for longer than a millisecond, it never would have been forwarded. That person should have known better and I expect more from them.
Racial jokes are not funny. Ever.
I couldn’t help but find it ironic that the email came last night, because earlier in the evening I had been reading this post over at my friend Wendy’s blog, Born In Our Hearts, about someone making racist comments about her beautiful, sweet, talented daughter. Racist comments disguised as jokes ARE NOT FUNNY. They’re offensive and they make me not want to associate with those who make them.
I don’t care how long I’ve known you. They’re not appropriate. EVER.
One Great Mom 
I warn people that send me forwarded emails that I consider the words enclosed to be coming out of their mouths, and I will take up my disagreements with them.
sending ‘jokes’ like that says more about the sender than the ‘target’ . having to tear someone else down to get a chuckle . and to know you so poorly to think you would join in their little giggle behind a hand.
what am I saying? Thought never entered into the equation.
I hope you did not send me this because you think (1) that I don’t know that racial jokes are not funny but are tasteless, hurtful, offensive, or (2) because you think I have ever sent one to you except to point out the tasteless and crude sense of humor of some people.
Hey there! Thanks for the shout out. I adore your blog and your straight-forward way of telling folks what’s on your mind. If there are blog crushes out there in the world, I’ve got one on yours.
I’m convinced that some people will just never “get it.” They’ll continue to put the onus on us when we don’t find their jokes, their forwards, their racist crap, hilarious. And we’ll continue to have to advocate for our kids and our families. I’ve been doing it for a long time, and you know what? It still shocks the shit right out of me that I have to do this in this day and age.
I never understand how a) people have time to read and forward so many “forwards,” b) why people who know me well send me things they know I will find offensive, and c) why they don’t find them offensive. Bleck. Now I just ask people to please not send forwards.
Glad you found my blog so I could find yours!
I completely agree. So glad you stopped by! =) ~Brandi