Posted by Isis at d4155.dialup.cornell.edu on February 24, 2000 at 12:30:41:
In Reply to: Rape Vs the Holocaust: Which is Funnier? posted by Snuffy on February 24, 2000 at 12:07:12:
My current favorite comedian, Mr. Chris Rock, often jokes about subjects which when seriously considered aren't funny in the least: ethnic slurs, poverty, women as sex objects.
But he approaches his subjects with a certain satiric flair which makes it clear (at least to me) that he's commenting on the absurdity of such things existing, not condoning them or making light of people's pain. I've never been offended by his humor, or George Carlin's for that matter, in the least.
However, I do think it takes a real comic genius to pull off that type of humor, and the line between offensive & satiric can be very ambiguous. Mostly, I believe it revolves around the intentions of the comic: if they intended to stir controversy or condemn evil through humor, fantastic. If they're just looking for laughs, they'll attract precisely the audience that approves of such things. It takes a delicate hand.
So, I can't say whether or not the Holocaust jokes are offensive until I've heard 'em.