The only thing they'll have to "wrestle with" is whether or not your wife is in
the room. Like ethnic jokes, people who tell them tend to check the room for
"those people" -- because "they're just too sensitive" -- and then, if "those
people" aren't in the room, the joke gets told.
This does not mean one should not say something when an offensive/off-color joke
gets told. It only means that one should recognize that the only thing one has
done is sent the behavior underground (for lack of a better term) and it won't be
done in one's presence again -- at least not for a time. And, chances are, if
one makes a comment, one should also recognize that the next "joke" will be about
one's self -- the minute one leaves the vicinity -- as a way to reaffirm societal
standards of behavior by the individual/group telling the "jokes."
Henry Cullihall wrote:
> Q. How are men and parking lots similar?
> A. Most of the good ones are taken. Only the handicapped ones are left.
>
> This was a joke my wife heard at work around a luncheon. My wife courageously
> stood up and said, "I really don't appreciate those kinds of jokes." "My
> husband is disabled" She described how many came to her after and apologized.
>
> My point. Attitudes do not change.
> My wife's point. Attitudes can be changed. She argues that her stance "sows
> seeds for change" in that when the same people plan to tell these jokes again
> they will remember her and be forced to wrestle with their conscience.
>
> What do you think? Anyone?
>
> Henry
--
Carolyn
check out, "Passing, Invisibility and Other Psychotic Stuff" at
http://www.tell-us-your-story.com/_disc68r/00000003.htm
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