From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!floyd!cmcl2!philabs!sdcsvax!perlman
Newsgroups: net.jokes
Title: Don't read this
Article-I.D.: sdcsvax.2051
Posted: Fri Jun  4 23:54:05 1982
Received: Tue Jun  8 01:23:33 1982

You know, I've always been ambivalent about ethnic jokes.
On one hand, they are extreme exagerations of traits that
in all cases are not unique to the group attacked.  On
the other hand, I've always found them funny, and did not
(or so I think) pay attention to their insinuations.  They
are an efficient form joke because (perhaps from all those
previous ethinic jokes) they make use of rich charicatures.
Having to develop the background with an imaginary group
seems like it would result in prohibitively long jokes.
In many cases, I do not find the jokes derogatory:

    How many Jewish mothers does it take to change a lightbulb?
    None.  "It's okay, I'll sit it the dark."

    How many WASPs does it take to change a lightbulb?
    Two.  One to call the electrician and one to mix the martinis.

These aren't that bad (are they?).  However, I have to say I find
many jokes offensive.  These are ones attacking inherent traits
of groups (e.g., a slanderous joke about a disabled person).  But
I do not think I am consistent about this aversion.  Maybe I just
like the more creative ones (or am I being overly generous?).

So to sum all this up:

    Many people have said all these bleeding liberal attacks
    on all sorts of jokes are a pain in the neck.  Personally,
    I have a lower opinion of them.  For all of those who read
    this who cant tell what is and what is not a joke, all
    the indented text are jokes.

gary perlman   ucsd psychology  (ucbvax!sdcsvax!perlman)