Is it ok to make jokes about disability?

[linda]

So there I was at home, doing what I usually do to distract myself in moments of grief: watching Trevor Noah on YouTube. I am the world’s biggest fan.

And I was thinking of sharing this here, since participation on PD is my other way to deal with grief, at least when it comes to a breakup with a para. And I was wondering whether it was ok just to post something which has not much connection with PD when around minute 11 the miracle happened and Trevor served it to me on a plate: the question whether or not it is ok to make jokes about disabled people.



Also please let me know your opinion about jokes about disability. Is it ok for everyone? Since not joking about it is also one form of exclusion? Is it ok for PWDs only? Is there a border which kind of jokes are appropriate and which are not?

[Nate]

I think he's completely right. People will always be offended by things that may or may not have anything to do with them, and they are welcome to ignore it and move on.

Edit for clarity: I have no problem with jokes about disability.

If you're a good comedian, you've already crossed a line or two.

[blindLeap]

I might be the odd one out but as a PWD I would say yes, definitely allowed to make jokes about it. I do it myself all the time and it can actually be a great ice breaker.
I tend to crack a few blind jokes to make people who make way too big a deal of it lighten up a little.
True though, it is getting easier and easier to offend people these days so ...I can only say your mileage may vary.

[Amee]

Thanks so much linda , that was hilarious!! I actually laughed out loud, when he did the "sign language interpretation" of Chinese The part about deaf people wasn't really laugh-out-loud funny, I thought, but still cool

And to answer your question: I strongly believe that nothing should be generally taboo in comedy - of course, whether or not a joke is in good or bad taste, depends on the context. But it's also a matter of just that - taste. Some people will like some jokes, some will like others. Some people might find something offensive that others find hilarious. I think it's a bit silly to worry about offending people in comedy - that's kind of part of the art for many comedians, I think.

Outside the context of comedy as an art form, it's a bit different to me.
In conversation, I would say it depends on the company and the context. It also depends hugely on the kind of joke. There's a big difference between a dark/intentionally inappropriate/offensive joke or just a very mild, good-natured one. While I think the former tend to be much funnier, they are also a little more context-sensitive. I would never joke about disability in any more risky way (or probably in any way, really) in front of a PWD, if I didn't know him/her well enough to be absolutely certain that he/she would be okay with it. I'm personally quite sensitive and careful not to hurt or offend people. I also think that in normal conversation it's a pretty good rule of thumb to be careful with jokes about minorities you're not a part of - when in doubt, I'd say avoid them.
Obviously, PWDs themselves can joke however they want - and I'll probably find it hilarious
When I'm just among ABs (which is almost all of the time, anyway) it would also depend on the context and the company. There are a few people, who know me very well, know that I love politically incorrect humor and would know how I meant it. With those people, I would have no problem joking about disability. In general though, it's also something that I would personally treat quite carefully - as I would joking about any minority.

[erikajulia]

Oct 26, 2019 13:00:23 GMT -5 linda said:

So there I was at home, doing what I usually do to distract myself in moments of grief: watching Trevor Noah on YouTube. I am the world’s biggest fan.

And I was thinking of sharing this here, since participation on PD is my other way to deal with grief, at least when it comes to a breakup with a para. And I was wondering whether it was ok just to post something which has not much connection with PD when around minute 11 the miracle happened and Trevor served it to me on a plate: the question whether or not it is ok to make jokes about disabled people.

Also please let me know your opinion about jokes about disability. Is it ok for everyone? Since not joking about it is also one form of exclusion? Is it ok for PWDs only? Is there a border which kind of jokes are appropriate and which are not?

First: Feel hugged, if it's ok for you. A hurting heart is terrible! I hope you get better with time!

Then: I learned all the really good, really mean jokes about blind people from blind people. And here you go (careful, German language): Mr. Hubbe. And "No hands, no cookies!" was funniest coming from the girl without arms. Trevor Noah, by the way, was very funny, I think. But then, he did not make jokes about deaf people, but about the situation he was in with a deaf person.

Generally, there are jokes that simply are mean and condescending, and to me, it does not matter if they are about blondes, overweight persons, colored or white persons or persons with or without disabilities. In my opinion, these tendentious jokes are unnecessary, in general. ... But then again, there may be the one situation where even such jokes can fit in. So it may very, very much depend on the situation and the people in it. My five cents. :-)

[linda]

Oh my! Since I am on some translator‘s forums on Facebook, I‘ve heard a lot of rage about this unlucky interpretation attempts on Mandela‘s memorial service before. Now I found this here, and it has me into tears of laughter:

[sy]

In the context of a joke I believe nothing should be off limits. I once signed up for the hot seat when I was signing up for my spot at the comedy club. If you sign up for the hot seat you basically asked other comedians to Heckle you while you do comedy. I thought that would be a great learning moment for me, so I signed up but none of the comics heckled me. I know they could have said some I can't fully blame them though they have been conditioned. I really wanted to be heckled just like everyone else who signs up for the hot seat well to be honest not everyone signs up only a few people.

Also I have been working on a joke about me sharing a locker room with other disabled people. I go to a gym specifically designed for disabled people so it's full of disabled people it's kind of a devs dream. However in the joke I don't really hold back and I make fun of disabled people of all sorts.

[britishtetra]

When I was in the spinal unit, I gained the reputation of the biggest piss taker in the hospital; a record I still hold today. I do not know if it is because I am an ex soldier, with that kind of mentality installed into me. But, I feel that you should make comedy out of the disabled, it’s normal.
( Like I once seen a blind prostitute, you have to hand it to her)
We have a comedian in England called Jim Davidson, and he does it and I don’t get offended. The world has gone to politically correct, and it is a crying shame.
There was once a program called Phoenix nights, where one of the characters was in a wheelchair, he is a comedian Peter Kay. And that was funny.

[linda]

sy, I would love to hear that joke! Pleeeeeaaaaase!

[zacc]

My opinion is yes you can make jokes about disability but comedians should think about their language. Like I can’t stand when comedians use the “R” word, I cant stand people saying confined to a wheelchair, and for that matter I don’t like a certain slur towards gay people. I’m fine with people using the word cripple and other words. But all that being said I feel like comedians can use any language they want as long as the context allows for it, if that makes sense.

[linda]

Oct 27, 2019 10:21:17 GMT -5 zacc said:

My opinion is yes you can make jokes about disability but comedians should think about their language. Like I can’t stand when comedians use the “R” word, I cant stand people saying confined to a wheelchair, and for that matter I don’t like a certain slur towards gay people. I’m fine with people using the word cripple and other words. But all that being said I feel like comedians can use any language they want as long as the context allows for it, if that makes sense.

Sorry, but what is the „R“ word? (I‘m not native)

[Deleted]

Oct 27, 2019 14:41:28 GMT -5 linda said:

Oct 27, 2019 10:21:17 GMT -5 zacc said:

My opinion is yes you can make jokes about disability but comedians should think about their language. Like I can’t stand when comedians use the “R” word, I cant stand people saying confined to a wheelchair, and for that matter I don’t like a certain slur towards gay people. I’m fine with people using the word cripple and other words. But all that being said I feel like comedians can use any language they want as long as the context allows for it, if that makes sense.

Sorry, but what is the „R“ word? (I‘m not native)

linda I'm guessing it's retarded. I don't like that word either.

[linda]

Oct 27, 2019 14:50:04 GMT -5 sophie said:

Oct 27, 2019 14:41:28 GMT -5 linda said:

Sorry, but what is the „R“ word? (I‘m not native)

linda I'm guessing it's retarded. I don't like that word either.

Oh! I think it’s so inappropriate and far fetched that I couldn’t even think of it, even through I tried. Thank you, sophie.

[sy]

Honestly I kind of worry about sharing jokes in this forum some people in this place are too sensitive.


However I do have a question do you think I have more of the leeway as a disabled person to make fun of other disabled people and myself included.

[linda]

Oct 27, 2019 15:47:40 GMT -5 sy said:

Honestly I kind of worry about sharing jokes in this forum some people in this place are too sensitive.


However I do have a question do you think I have more of the leeway as a disabled person to make fun of other disabled people and myself included.

A clear yes! I can take jokes about myself much better from people who‘ve been there.