tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154452806180550551.post501460454313153878..comments2024-03-29T02:16:10.331-07:00Comments on South Korea Inside Out/Australia Inside Out: Should Race and Culture be Off-Limits in Comedy?Smudgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00449129060365290678noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154452806180550551.post-75877838089348096682013-12-09T19:35:48.115-08:002013-12-09T19:35:48.115-08:00I think your last line is a bit extreme, but I thi...I think your last line is a bit extreme, but I think there is a big debate to be had about immigration into countries, Western countries in particular. What I see in the UK is mass immigration changing the country too much and causing conflicts. The fact is that in Western culture conflict will occur more often because we are so tolerant of what people say and do from other cultures when they come to live in our own. We are too tolerant to the point that when some immigrants break laws, they are not prosecuted because of the colour of their skin or their culture. A recent issue being Female Genital Mutilation in the UK.<br /><br />I see it much less an issue of race and more an issue of clashing cultures; it could just be that placing people of different cultures in the same space is a recipe for disaster. I think this is true especially when people are afraid of speaking out about cultural issues for fear of being labelled a racist, particularly when people native to that country are afraid. I think this is what is happening in the UK.<br /><br />While I think you perhaps go a little too far in your comment, I think it is important to hear out views like yours and I am not in the least bit offended by what you say, despite having an Asian wife.<br /><br />In Korea, at least, I do think many Koreans do have strong discriminatory attitudes to those marginalised or less favourable minorities, I agree.<br /><br />While I agree with you about some people from certain countries or cultures bringing a lot of abuse upon themselves - I can think of Islam in the UK and Europe - I think sometimes it is just brute racism. For example, I don't think I have ever heard any stories in the UK about Far East Asians causing trouble, they do seem to place few demands on the culture they come into. I can't think of any issue with Koreans in Australia, but I have heard about a number of attacks on Koreans there, including a savage murder of a 19 year old in Brisbane a few weeks ago. There does not appear to be anything that Koreans have done to bring these sort of attacks on themselves.Smudgerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00449129060365290678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154452806180550551.post-14961578876586209712013-12-09T17:59:17.340-08:002013-12-09T17:59:17.340-08:00OK, I think there another side to the whole so cal...OK, I think there another side to the whole so called racism against Asians. And that is some of their behaviours and attitudes evoke hostilities in those that come into contact with them.<br /><br />You see, the thing about Asians, and many other immigrants from non Christian culture is that they generally have attitudes that carry over from their belief systems from their own culture, attitudes that generally are considered unacceptable in the West, and rightly so! For example, I noticed many Asians ( including Koreans, I know you probably wont like me saying this, since your wife is Korean, but truth is the truth, hence I will say it) tend to have discriminatory attitudes toward those who are more likely to be marginalized in society, such as gays and those who suffers from disability.<br /><br />And out of the different nationalities I have met, mainland Chinese are the worst, but Korean are only slightly better.<br /><br />They seem to think that those groups deserves to be treated like second class citizens. And their behaviours certainly reflect their attitudes. <br /><br />I remember years ago I was having conversation with a friend of mine who suffers from serious depression and was and still is struggling because it. I remember she was telling about issues she was having with her sickness benefits at that time, and there was this Asian girl ( she looked Chinese) immediately shot my friend a look of intense disgust, that typifies what I call Asian attitude. <br /><br />What is ironic is Asian immigrants generally have problems with people with disabilities who are receiving government benefits, yet themselves are by far the most shameless ( along with Indians) when it comes to abusing welfare systems of countries that they are suppose to contribute to as immigrants.<br /><br />Not to mention many of them ( particular those come from mainland China) are generally very rude and inconsiderate in the way they relate to those them.<br /><br />Sure, racism is wrong, but it does not change the fact that they themselves have a part to play in this too.<br /><br />It is like couple of years ago there were a trend here in Australia of physical assaults on Indians, I cant condone that, but one have to wonder that out all races here in Australia, why would Indian be singled out?<br /><br />The way I look at it, those Asian immigrants need to learn some manners and adjust their attitudes when they come to someone's else country, and if they want to behave asshole, then they can and should GO HOME!<br /><br />We don't need those Asians to pollute our society.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154452806180550551.post-75440239861147908592013-12-03T22:48:17.357-08:002013-12-03T22:48:17.357-08:00Yes, I can accept this point of view and this is w...Yes, I can accept this point of view and this is worth arguing over.<br /><br />I would still throw up a few counter arguments; just like violence in video games has been shown not to increase violence in real life it is quite possible that a show like Family Guy makes no real difference and the people who shout abuse on the streets would do so anyway. However, I could easily be persuaded that this is wrong. I don't think I have heard of any studies about this.<br /><br />I agree racial or cultural jokes in comedy are not ideal, but practically though, I don't know how you can stop comedy like this. Banning it just won't work because as I said in the post, comedy itself thrives on walking the line and people enjoy rules being broken.<br /><br />What I am really arguing for is the ability to make generalisations of groups of people (in the form of jokes in this case) but zero-tolerance of the singling-out or discrimination of individuals based on these generalisations of a possble group to which they might belong. As I have said before individuals vary and should always be treated as individuals with respect. Also, no prejudice or discrimination should be enshrined in law on groups of people because of this varying of individuals within any identifiable group of people.Smudgerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00449129060365290678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154452806180550551.post-7900222503077402412013-12-03T20:14:31.118-08:002013-12-03T20:14:31.118-08:00OK...but shows like Family Guy are where these dic...OK...but shows like Family Guy are where these dickholes that say stupid shit too you on the street get the idea that being a racist dickhole is incredibly funny. <br />"Oh, on Family Guy they said that Asian women can't drive! Mega lols! Here's Burndog, his partner's Asian!" they think....and then..."Burndog, how did you get to work? I hope your missus didn't drive you, because we all know women can't drive....especially Asian women!" then three or four nearby colleagues nod their head and chuckle and I'm left not knowing whether to shit or wind my watch.<br /><br />Popular culture normalises shit. If people see racist shit...it makes it seem more normal...and less out of order.<br /><br />I'm just suggesting this as an idea. Burndoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10810891417843137002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154452806180550551.post-58141650276361533442013-12-02T21:55:03.632-08:002013-12-02T21:55:03.632-08:00As I said to the other commenter, I do not condone...As I said to the other commenter, I do not condone jokes at individual's expense, i.e. people at work making fun of your Asian wife or people in the street shouting jokes at someone personally. The example I gave in the post was of the Dutch x-factor judge. Totally out of order, it is discrimination and offends people personally, when they had no knowledge it would happen. What I argued for was specifically comedy in the media as entertainment, like Family Guy for example, about general groups of people, not poking fun at individuals. If you tune into a comedy show like Family Guy, you should expect the jokes to get a little controversial. You cannot expect a racial or cultural joke about you personally while walking down the street. This is a misunderstanding you and the other commenter had after reading this post. I know as well as anyone how annoying random nitwits who think they are being funny can be very disvisive and cause genuine offence.<br /><br />"What if EVERYTHING you wrote was wrong?" Well as I said, it should be easy to pull out one example. I think it is silly to suggest they would need to quote the whole blog.<br /><br />The reason why I keep asking for direct quotes is that I can't piece together why they are upset, otherwise I would. From what they write, I think they are reading what is not there, what I never wrote, as you have in your comment.<br /><br />PS: Thanks for the wikipedia link; I noticed it said the term is primarily used in the US, which is probably why I was unsure of its meaning.<br /><br /><br />Smudgerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00449129060365290678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154452806180550551.post-74184445818004214522013-12-02T20:54:56.281-08:002013-12-02T20:54:56.281-08:00Heya Smudger,
Here's a link to help you under...Heya Smudger,<br /><br />Here's a link to help you understand what 'people of color' are - <br /><br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Person_of_color<br /><br />I think that you do yourself a disservice by building up these 'quote me directly' defences. Surely you can, through reading what you wrote, and then reading what anon wrote....somehow piece together what they are saying. <br /><br />I don't understand how you can't see that people can disagree with your thesis, argument, and logic without needing to quote a pithy sentence or two to make them right. This is the third time you've gone with this whole "quote me" defence.<br /><br />What if EVERYTHING you wrote was wrong? Would they need to quote the whole blog?<br /><br />You can't see how white guys like us might think that the 'asian women can't drive' jokes are fucking hilarious, but to an asian woman being told that she can't drive...because she's asian...and a woman...for the one millionth time...is actually really fucking frustrating and not in any way funny? When some cockhead that you work with calls you a 'rice king' for having an asian wife...just remember how funny race based jokes are...especially when he's the 20th fuckwit in your office who's decided to make that joke...or the one about 'yellow fever'. Hilarious stuff...and I guarantee you that you'll hear both references working in Australia. I did.<br /><br />Keep on trucking!Burndoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10810891417843137002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154452806180550551.post-51538961538536109442013-12-02T06:21:37.069-08:002013-12-02T06:21:37.069-08:00'Serious debates about stereotypes...' Wil...'Serious debates about stereotypes...' Will never happen, I guess (involving a broader audience, I mean). Don't bother, since it doesn't really matter.<br />(kimchifrox)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154452806180550551.post-35692672495787652652013-11-30T15:16:32.025-08:002013-11-30T15:16:32.025-08:00This is absolutely why it is necessary to quote me...This is absolutely why it is necessary to quote me and respond to specifically what I have written because I think you have misinterpreted what I wrote. I think this is why people make long offended rants and I think it is important to pin-point exactly what causes the offence. I think why what I am writing is causing broad offence in some people is because they are assuming I am trying to send a message that I am not. I think this reaction is caused by the taboo of race and culture causing only a narrow band of discourse that is acceptable and this harms progress in building a more equal world (exactly what I was trying to say in the post).<br /><br />I apologise for assuming you were of black racial origin, my mistake, but as a 'person of color' then what kind of comedy upsets you? What do you mean by people of colour by the way? I have never written anything outside of Asian racism and prejudice, although the principles often work for other races also. Does people of colour just mean 'non-White'? <br /><br />I think you need to bear in mind that I am talking specifically about comedy in the entertainment industry, mainly on TV, in this post that is labeled as comedy. As I mentioned with the X-Factor example, I have no patience for what people think of as comedy on the street by making fun of individuals, racial jibes, name calling, etc. As I said, this is an example of discrimination and causes real harm. I also criticised when TV shows that were not labeled as comedy, or even family comedy shows, attempt racial or cultural comedy. I think this is where you may be misunderstanding me. I am not advocating making fun of individuals and neither of groups in comedy outside of specifically labeled comedy shows.<br /><br />I have read the blogs, seen the links and yet still no one can pull a quote from my writing and explain specifically to me what is so offensive. I think this is really important to be able to do. Anyone can say to someone else go and read this and that, and I have, but you are criticising me, so I need some examples of what I am writing that is so bad. That would help me alleviate my ignorance, if that is my problem, much more quickly. The fact that people aren't doing this tends to make me think it is they who need to read more carefully. But I could be wrong, prove it by quoting and explaining, if my entire post is bad, it should be easy to find examples. This quote sums everything up quite nicely i think:<br /><br />"Give yourself the ability to understand why people react negatively with what you describe as "broad generalisations", because when you do, then you'll be ready to engage in real and substantiated discourse."<br /><br />In other words, the secret is still out there for me to discover, something I still can't grasp, but no one is going to tell me. These are easy words, I could say this about anyone who I am angry with and don't agree with and it is a tactic in debate to make the other person look bad. I think I do understand why people get upset; it is a sensitive subject and people leap to conclusions that I never write because of it. They then write long replies to me saying how upset they are and then when I point out to give me an example of actually what I wrote, they can't and then they have put so much time and effort into being upset that they can't let go. Think I am wrong about this? Prove it and I will apologise and take it back.Smudgerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00449129060365290678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154452806180550551.post-25493215225650605452013-11-30T10:00:54.436-08:002013-11-30T10:00:54.436-08:00"These same men, when confronted by people of..."These same men, when confronted by people of color, act defensive, ask for specific examples of their racial insensitivity and explain the validity of their arguments..." <br /><br />"I would really love you to point out exactly what I said you don't agree with, because I am struggling with your comment".<br /><br />I had a feeling you were going to take my previous post as a long-winded rant, easy on offense and hard on logic, most definitely lacking in specific, concrete examples. I knew that you would perceive it that way, because my criticism was of your entire post and posts that you have previously written. The reason why you "get a lot of responses like yours that are mostly a long offended rants" is that you write about race, racism and cultural issues, give your opinions on why it makes sense for people of color to react in different ways than they do and then tout these ideas as part of your learning experience. It's a general problem that causes broad offense. <br /><br />I'm not going to point out specific problematic phrases, when it is the sentiment behind your approach to tackling such issues that is the problem in itself. All I can recommend is that you hold off on the opinions and maybe embrace asking questions, immerse yourself in the histories and personal narratives of people of color. Read some of the blogs and links that your harshest critics have provided you. Open your eyes, ears, mind and heart and give a proper listen. Listen to how people of color relay their experiences and hold off on making any judgements. It's like I said before, educate yourself. Give yourself the ability to understand why people react negatively with what you describe as "broad generalisations", because when you do, then you'll be ready to engage in real and substantiated discourse. <br /><br />That's really all I can recommend. If you're still not getting it and really just want to know what I, as a Black woman (never specified in initial comment, but nonetheless assumed), think of jokes about Black people and racial and cultural comedy in general, then I bid you good day. There are other blogs that I can read. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154452806180550551.post-17774850207939760812013-11-30T03:44:33.059-08:002013-11-30T03:44:33.059-08:00I don't regard myself as an expert, just a mus...I don't regard myself as an expert, just a musing honest guy. Could certainly be a repugnant dolt, as you say, but I think you are being a little unfair on me with some rather broad generalisations. How could I ever educate myself as a White man unless I put my opinions out there? That is the whole point of freedom of speech as far as I can see.<br /><br />What I really want though is to learn why you think this and what it is exactly that you are disagreeing with. If I may, I find I get a lot of responses like yours that are mostly a long offended rants. I am left not really understanding what it is I wrote that deserved such a response. I am really being genuine, I want to learn because if I really am as horrible as you have painted me out to be, I would like to change.<br /><br />Who wouldn't be against racial insensitivity? I am certainly against it, however, what I am arguing is simply where to draw lines. I would be really curious to know, as a black woman, what your opinion would be on racial or cultural comedy? Is all comedy making fun of black people off the table? Does that then mean all comedy against all races is off the table? Practically speaking I don't know how this is realistic or desirable.<br /><br />I would really love you to point out exactly what I said you don't agree with, because I am struggling with your comment. Maybe I could never understand, like you say, but if you could pick out some of what I wrote and critique it for me it would be much appreciated. <br /><br />Thanks for commenting.Smudgerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00449129060365290678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154452806180550551.post-46786334007238529732013-11-30T01:08:52.909-08:002013-11-30T01:08:52.909-08:00Hear hear.Hear hear.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154452806180550551.post-53497401551112381952013-11-30T00:10:54.738-08:002013-11-30T00:10:54.738-08:00Posts like these make me think that it's impos...Posts like these make me think that it's impossible for some white men to even attempt to see things from the perspective of a person of color. Without a lifetime of experiencing race-related jabs, the kind that incrementally wear on the soul, they are incapable of processing the fact that to people of color, culture and race are sensitive issues, because they are simultaneously personal and unavoidable. These same men, when confronted by people of color, act defensive, ask for specific examples of their racial insensitivity and explain the validity of their arguments, never understanding that when it comes to issues involving whether or not a person of color is offended, the non-poc's opinions are the ones that simply do not matter. This is so difficult for these people to understand, because they are simply not used to the idea that they don't have the final say in matters of importance. <br /><br />Keeping that in mind, I assume that you will read this comment and dismiss it as a misguided attempt to troll, find it irrelevant to this particular post, or simply just a false statement that you can destroy with a blitzkrieg of facts and "white mansplaining". I'll just end with one request: Please, please stop writing posts involving race and racism, because you are tragically clueless and apparently, can never learn from those who have tried and failed to educate you on the subject. You simply don't understand and can apparently never understand and are starting to come across as a repugnant dolt, which I don't think you actually are. I suspect that you are even a rather nice and intelligent person, but when it comes to matters like these, you seriously need to educate yourself before you speak. I'd sign this post off by adding that I am a woman of color, but as I suspect that you will disregard my opinion in favor of your presumably far superior one, it would probably be a useless attempt at validating the point I'm trying to make. I'm just expressing my annoyance at once again reading a post written by someone who has no idea what he's talking about, but regards himself as an expert of sorts. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com