Off Colour Jokes and Why You're a Plebe for Using them

Mojo · 07-23-2013, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burning Down

How do people here generally feel about jokes about autism or where people with autism are the butt of the joke?

EDIT: Also, what about when people say the word "retarded", as in "oh that movie was so retarded" etc. To me that is on par with people using the word "gay" in the same context, and it's offensive to me.

Like others have said, and like with most things - context.

I try not to get worked up over things where I can tell the person meant no offence. Sometimes it may still be appropriate to correct or inform, depending on the circumstances, but not always necessary, in my opinion, to hound and berate someone for a slip of the tongue or for saying something they meant no offence by. Some people are also just completely oblivious.

If theres malice in a comment, then no. If its a joke, then chances are I'm not going to take great offence to it.

I highly doubt I would make a joke about someone with autism. It just isn't really my style and I have no need to do it. I may make a joke about autism, however, depending on exactly what its about. But even if I was going to make a joke about someone who has autism - context. Really. You could argue that you could approach someone with autism, tell them this joke directly, but oh it's ok, it's just a joke isnt it? If you can do that and feel confident that you meant no harm, that doesnt remove the likelihood that you're a complete ****ing idiot all the same.