I was dismayed by how many people yesterday thought it was OK because Brittany was “only” stereotyping gays, not being “homophobic.”And HR in today’s strip is joking about it.Well, suppose she’d asked a Black coworker to teach her to dance, because “Black people know how to dance.”Or worse…. offered to share the watermelon she brought for lunch because “I know how you people love watermelon.”
Suppose Boyd were Jewish, and she told him she was surprised he wasn’t a lawyer, because “Jews are so smart.”In fact, people have been surprised at my lack of delight when they tell me “All you Jewish people are so funny.”
All of those stereotypes were common 75 years ago,…people even insisted they were compliments….because neither Blacks nor Jews had any power or credibility when they tried to point out their offensiveness.
Is it “PC” that we don’t use them now? No, hopefully, we have started to listen to those affected, and realise it’s just common courtesy.So if gay people are offended by a certain stereotype of homosexuals….we need to listen, Not tell them how they ought to feel.
While stereotyping is irritating, it’s nothing to complain to HR about. It used to be more common, and today, many people get it, and some don’t.
I am not gay, but am many other types of minority, and am more amused than irritated when somebody slots me. I’m definitely not reaching for the rule book when that happens.
I’ll tell you what I find offensive — being referred to as “African-American”.I, and no one else in my immediate family, has ever been to Africa, nor is it especially high on my Bucket List.I’m an American — Period.
OK… Clarification: I do agree that Boyd’s going to HR at this point was rather over the top. He’s just that sort of cartoon character… a bit of a parody. I was talking about reactions in this forum, rather than the plot line of the strip… And i should have been more clear.If it were real life, the person I’d tell him to speak to, politely, in a friendly easy, is Brittany. She just doesn’t get it… But she means well, so maybe she would. And Phatts …. I didn’t refer to you as African American. And ok, now I know that you, personally, wouldn’t be offended if I said you Black people can dance.I know someone who is… but he can joke about it. It’s me, personally, who is offended by people who use the expression “Jew you down.”As for whether it’s offensive to me, personally, when someone says I’m smart or funny because all Jews are that way… it depends on who said it and in what way.Add a joke, or irony, it can be funny, but when they’re quite serious, it’s usually offensive. My point was that we need to talk to each other as individual human beings, not stereotypes, and that if someone is hurt by a stereotype, it’s on us to hear that, not to explain to him, or to each other, that he’s being too sensitive.
I think people just need to be less sensitive and not get all bent out of shape every time they hear something they think is offensive.At the end of the day, it’s not the offender’s problem. If I say something and you’re offended, that’s YOUR problem.95% of the time, there is no offense intended. And you can usually tell that last 5% because they’ll say things a LOT worse than anything anybody here has said so far.
SusanSunshine Premium Member over 8 years ago
I was dismayed by how many people yesterday thought it was OK because Brittany was “only” stereotyping gays, not being “homophobic.”And HR in today’s strip is joking about it.Well, suppose she’d asked a Black coworker to teach her to dance, because “Black people know how to dance.”Or worse…. offered to share the watermelon she brought for lunch because “I know how you people love watermelon.”
Suppose Boyd were Jewish, and she told him she was surprised he wasn’t a lawyer, because “Jews are so smart.”In fact, people have been surprised at my lack of delight when they tell me “All you Jewish people are so funny.”
All of those stereotypes were common 75 years ago,…people even insisted they were compliments….because neither Blacks nor Jews had any power or credibility when they tried to point out their offensiveness.
Is it “PC” that we don’t use them now? No, hopefully, we have started to listen to those affected, and realise it’s just common courtesy.So if gay people are offended by a certain stereotype of homosexuals….we need to listen, Not tell them how they ought to feel.
Egrayjames over 8 years ago
Boyd…Quit your whining and quit acting like a girl.
smitty72 over 8 years ago
Susan, chill
rnrnetmails over 8 years ago
While stereotyping is irritating, it’s nothing to complain to HR about. It used to be more common, and today, many people get it, and some don’t.
I am not gay, but am many other types of minority, and am more amused than irritated when somebody slots me. I’m definitely not reaching for the rule book when that happens.
NWdryad over 8 years ago
Boyd needs to wear tighter jeans… that’ll help. (See other episodes).
reedkomicks Premium Member over 8 years ago
The simple fact is, that Lila is irreplaceable. I hope he can go work with her at the medical place. (no spoilers please)
Phatts over 8 years ago
I’ll tell you what I find offensive — being referred to as “African-American”.I, and no one else in my immediate family, has ever been to Africa, nor is it especially high on my Bucket List.I’m an American — Period.
SusanSunshine Premium Member over 8 years ago
OK… Clarification: I do agree that Boyd’s going to HR at this point was rather over the top. He’s just that sort of cartoon character… a bit of a parody. I was talking about reactions in this forum, rather than the plot line of the strip… And i should have been more clear.If it were real life, the person I’d tell him to speak to, politely, in a friendly easy, is Brittany. She just doesn’t get it… But she means well, so maybe she would. And Phatts …. I didn’t refer to you as African American. And ok, now I know that you, personally, wouldn’t be offended if I said you Black people can dance.I know someone who is… but he can joke about it. It’s me, personally, who is offended by people who use the expression “Jew you down.”As for whether it’s offensive to me, personally, when someone says I’m smart or funny because all Jews are that way… it depends on who said it and in what way.Add a joke, or irony, it can be funny, but when they’re quite serious, it’s usually offensive. My point was that we need to talk to each other as individual human beings, not stereotypes, and that if someone is hurt by a stereotype, it’s on us to hear that, not to explain to him, or to each other, that he’s being too sensitive.
Lamberger over 8 years ago
Ignorance does not deserve a beheading. It should rather be met with gentle elucidation. The PC police, however, should be met with a hail of gunfire.
Dewsolo over 8 years ago
Good points, Susan. And well said.
Phatts over 8 years ago
I think people just need to be less sensitive and not get all bent out of shape every time they hear something they think is offensive.At the end of the day, it’s not the offender’s problem. If I say something and you’re offended, that’s YOUR problem.95% of the time, there is no offense intended. And you can usually tell that last 5% because they’ll say things a LOT worse than anything anybody here has said so far.