Although the American political sphere is filled with racist rhetoric, jokes that perpetuate stereotypes should not be tolerated anywhere.
Despite the increasing diversity within our society, racist jokes seem to be at their peak in the media and in general discourse. On campus, students are made uncomfortable by dehumanizing “jokes” made by their peers. Many of these jokes continue the racist status quo normalized by the generations before us, but we, as students, should not uphold language that belittles ourselves and those around us.
“What’s significant at this moment is that jokes that used to be said in private are now being said quite publicly and quite loudly,” said John Hartigan, Director of Américo Paredes Center for Cultural Studies. “It’s disturbing, but it’s also showing that the kind of decorum and conventions that we as a society have developed over the last 30 years to not reproduce racial stereotypes in public exchanges are unraveling. They’re being transgressed, and there’s apparently very little repercussion for doing so.”
Today, humor is used to justify prejudice against minority groups with little consequence. Though we may not want to recognize it, jokes, especially those that target the marginalized, divide.
A prime example is the offensive jokes degrading Puerto Rico made at Donald Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The jokes caused turmoil within the party; however, no actual consequences have occurred against the comedian for his offensive language.
Again, jokes divide, whether we want them to or not.
Despite this, the question remains: What is so funny about race?
Race is a social construct. Biologically, humanity is one species. According to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, we have never been without race in American society, and this categorization of people has been used as a means to colonize and enslave.
“Ignorant people never disappear from the world, so neither do derogatory terms and racist jokes,” biomedical engineering freshman Yeikol Chapa said. “In a perfect world, there would be no racism, but the world isn’t perfect, so there’s always going to be people making racist jokes and making racist assumptions.”
One thing Chapa would like to see on campus are events where organizations of different backgrounds collaborate with one another to foster a much more educated community within UT.
Students should not have to feel uncomfortable due to the language someone uses, especially not in class. When you hear an offensive joke, call it out. Explain why the joke or language is offensive, and if they already know, ensure they face the proper repercussions.
“You might not know the history of that word or how it registers certain connotations or meanings that are very hurtful and have been used in an oppressive way,” Hartigan said. “But you need to recognize that that language is very fraught and dangerous.”
It may be “just a joke,” but the ways you perpetuate racism, be it blatant or masked by humor, do not excuse its effects.
Thomas is a journalism freshman from Beaumont, Texas.
