Why is this racist?

[ste_bla]

Right two jokes mate told off at work (final written ) as one of them is racist but not both how the hell does it work?

1) Raciest according to work - Work Colleague

A Black man walks in a bar with a parrot on his shoulder and asks for a pint. While the barman is poring a pint he asks "where did you get that from" and the parrot replies "Africa theres millions of them over there"

2) Is not raciest according to work - Supervisors suggested version

An Irish man walks in a bar with a parrot on his shoulder and asks for a pint. While the barman is poring a pint he asks "where did you get that from" and the parrot replies "Ireland theres millions of them over there"

Now I know black is a race as such and Irish is not. However how can one be offensive and not the other .

 

[Wrathamon]

Political Correctness gone mad..... as usual!

 

[Steedie]

lol they are both just as offensive as each other. I really wouldn't call either racist though

I've heard far worse

 

[semi-pro waster]

My principle objection is that is a rubbish joke, you must have missed something out as there is no way it is funny in the slightest. It reads as a non-sequitur.

Irish is a nationality not a race. If the first one had read as "An African man walks into a bar..." then it could be equally a statement of fact much as the second one could be but as it is it is simply linking skin colour with a continent.

 

[Sweetloaf]

"Africa theres millions of them over there"

"Ireland theres millions of them over there"

Both perfectly legitimate statements of fact

 

[gillywibble]

Well I for one found the joke amusing

 

[Samione]

The fact your supervisor suggested that "un-racist" version actually makes them a racist, they seem to hold the opinion that jokes about Ireland are ok where as jokes about Africa aren't. But yeah, neither are really racist. Altought if you wanted to get really PC - you could say that the parrot one could hold conotations about slavery - but that would be reaallly tenuous.

 

[Spie]

I think it's quite funny.

 

[Vonhelmet]

The parrot is very rude to butt in like that.

 

[Glaucus]

Political Correctness gone mad..... as usual!

Quoted for truth.
Don't you know racism only works one way round. I bet the person who complained wasn't even offended. they just took offence on "someone" else behalf.

Jokes always take the mick out of one group or another.

 

[deuse]

Political Correctness gone mad..... as usual!

 

[neocon]

Right two jokes mate told off at work (final written ) as one of them is racist but not both how the hell does it work?

1) Raciest according to work - Work Colleague

A Black man walks in a bar with a parrot on his shoulder and asks for a pint. While the barman is poring a pint he asks "where did you get that from" and the parrot replies "Africa theres millions of them over there"

2) Is not raciest according to work - Supervisors suggested version

An Irish man walks in a bar with a parrot on his shoulder and asks for a pint. While the barman is poring a pint he asks "where did you get that from" and the parrot replies "Ireland theres millions of them over there"

Now I know black is a race as such and Irish is not. However how can one be offensive and not the other .

yes but the slave trade wasn't for irish people

our ancestors didn't chain up irish people and make them work on sugar plantations

funny joke anyway

 

[rossyl]

Irish is a nationality not a race. If the first one had read as "An African man walks into a bar..." then it could be equally a statement of fact much as the second one could be but as it is it is simply linking skin colour with a continent.

The original poster not being able to notice this, or spell racist - either points out their stupidity or unintentional racist slant they have when discussing black people.



EDIT - i'm disappointed by the amount of people on here who simply state "political correctness" etc. I sincerely hope you don't all drive white Ford Transits and educate yourself by reading The Sun or Daily Mail.

 

[Samione]

You sure that the slavery is the punchline? And not just the fact you'd expect the guy to say where he got his parrot?

 

[ste_bla]

Quoted for truth.
Don't you know racism only works one way round. I bet the person who complained wasn't even offended. they just took offence on "someone" else behalf.

Jokes always take the mick out of one group or another.

There was no complaint, the supervisor overheard it and then said your sent home/suspended. Then was sent a letter saying the nature of the joke within the work place was racist and it cant happen again, start work Monday. Monday comes and then the supervisor who reprimanded/suspended him this is the version you want..

 

[Glaucus]

over zealous supervisor. Probably so scared of the pc brigade, he thinks he has to stamp everything out.

 

[Sweetloaf]

yes but the slave trade wasn't for irish people

our ancestors didn't chain up irish people and make them work on sugar plantations

Another statement of fact but nothing to do with the joke.

 

[davethe11]

I've been confused over what's racist and what isn't since I understood what the word meant. If someone in Africa told the joke about a white person with a parrot on his shoulder, I wouldn't be offended, I would laugh. I suppose racism is not defined in the words, but by the person telling the joke.

 

[ste_bla]

Now I know black is a race as such and Irish is not. However how can one be offensive and not the other .

The original poster not being able to notice this, or spell racist - either points out their stupidity or unintentional racist slant they have when discussing black people.

I did notice this and I made a spelling mistake I am pretty sure have at some point?

 

[monkentage]

yes but the slave trade wasn't for irish people

our ancestors didn't chain up irish people and make them work on sugar plantations

funny joke anyway

yes they did. they didnt like the caribbean sun too much...