Why are certain ethnicities more sensitive about ethnic jokes than others?

[Laffctx]

Dont worry so much about what the rest of your ethnic friends are doing and be the best you can be! Then, if other people cant see you for what you really are they have the problem........Not You!

I could care less what other people think of my lifestyle or my ethnic background.

You are not what your ethnic background is.........You are what you are........skin color, race and religion doesnt matter...........You are what you project!

If you act like a jerk, walk like a jerk, talk like a jerk and treat other people like a jerk............odds are YOUR A JERK!!!!!!!!!

You want people to respect you? then respect other people and yourself!!!!!!

 

[Zontor]

^^^

Too true...

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: DearQT

Originally posted by: Phoenix86

Originally posted by: MaxDSP
We're portrayed that way in the media, but in real life, I more often hear Indians associated with good jobs like being businessmen/women, IT professionals, doctors, etc than I do about 7-11 owners or cab drivers.

Wouldn't owning a cab (many are owner-operators) or owning a 7-11 make them a business owner?

I don't think that's looked down on quite as much as you think. There is a difference between being a clerk and an owner.

Originally posted by: JoeKingwtf are you smoking? There is no such thing as a good stereotype. Name one please.

Indians are smart (many engineers and Dr. as noted in this thread).
Indians are business owners.
Hispanics work hard.
Hispanics are Catholic.

Want more?

Stereotypes are NOT inherently bad. You do it every day in your life wether you admit it or not. It's simply recogonizing what you see around you and classifying it.

Oh, I'll be the first to admit that I have my fears and prejudices too. However, that's where history and experience comes in too. Ethnic stereotypes have proven to be very hurtful, physically harmful and detrimental to a group of people. For those who have been victims of stereotypes put into action, I think that they have every right to be sensitive and object to so-called jokes rooted in stereotypes. However, for those who have been stereotyped but not victims of physical harm and harsh laws, they should just be vigilant. Take the jokes and laugh but be watchful....

Isasir, I didn't see where you qualified the source of the joke. However, if you're just talking about the media, then I guess we could deal with it--provided the average American isn't as dumb/ignorant as it appears sometimes taking every word of the media as gospel truth.

Only if those stereo type are negative &true. There is nothing wrong in stating the truth. If that truth is harnfull....

Not that condems the individual, but it's natural to assume, as sad as that may be; it's a fact.

*drunken posting*

BTW, the 1/2 of the American ppulation is as stupid as the other 1/2.

isasir
I'm part indian too, if I wanted to I could claim it for federal benefits. I choose not to because I don't want a hand-out, personal decision. However; I don't consider jokes offensive in genenral, I *try* to respect comedy. Even if it's directed at me...

Why are more people sensitive? Because of their past, however; that doesn't make that sensitivity relevant. It just makes it real.

edit: I still understand certian ethnics sensitivity, like the Jewish people after WWII. Totally understanable.

 

[feelingshorter]

asian sterotype is the worst,..

 

[djheater]

Originally posted by: isasir
Well, let me get this out of the way first - I'm Indian. As such, on TV, Indians are generally taxi drivers or 7-11 owners with bad accents - not really the most pleasing of portrayals. Now, most of the Indians I know, really don't care too much about this negative stereotype on TV, unless you were to come directly to our faces and do make these comments. Hell, I think most Indians are guilty of imitating the same "Apu" accent at some point as a joke.

However, just the other day I heard on the radio that some members of the Italian community were making a big fuss about "Growing up Gotti" since it apparently portrays Italians poorly. If they were making a big fuss about it being a horrible show, that's one thing, but hell, they've also had issue with The Sopranos.

A lot of African Americans are also sensitive about any negative stereotypes portrayed about them.

For the most part, I've noticed that many caucasians aren't bothered by redneck/cracker etc. comments, at least not to a great extent.

I'm just wondering about theories why some groups on a whole seem more sensitive. One reason I figure is that, all communities have these people that of course have issues with these negative stereotypes. However, some just are better at getting media coverage for it.

Another theory I had was that some people are just comfortable with themselves and their ethnicity, that negative stereotypes don't really bother them. In my own case, most of my Indian friends, and myself, have turned out pretty successful. If some TV producer wants to show us as a cab driver, then that's fine, there's plenty of Indians that are cab drivers. Meanwhile, I'll work at my high paying job and just laugh along with everyone else and not give it much of a second thought next time I see an Indian cab driver on TV.

A point I'd like to make is that neither of the communities you mentioned has the same strong cultural independance of the Indian-American community. Blacks and Italian-Amercans are part of the mainstream American culture, the danger of cultural dilution is more real.

 

[Reikon]

I know an Indian person who has family members that are taxi drivers and own a convenience store like 7/11.