I want to agree, but simply telling racist jokes and calling it 'comedy', as if there's some sort of sacred shroud that descends upon the joke and makes it holy, doesn't make it okay. That's what most people who say 'no subject should be off-limits to comedians' use it for, which is why that phrase has become an excuse for racists to not feel bad about what they say, and why I dislike the phrase.
'Relax, bro, it's comedy, comedy should have no taboos'.
'It's just a joke, bro'.
No.
As the other commenter said, it's all in how it's phrased, not only in where the joke is told or to whom. Poke fun at a situation, sure. Don't poke fun at people or cultures. Punch up, don't punch down, or make jokes that come from fear and ignorance, rather than knowledge and understanding.
No subject is off limits but the problem comes when people start punching down and perpetuating problematic ideas and call it a joke. It's tasteless, lazy, unintelligent and worst of all not funny
I love satire, dry humor and shock value so I agree that nothing is off limits, but as others say the framing is important
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u/here_for_the_meems Jun 01 '20
I still think that stereotype race jokes can be funny in comedic context. No subject should be off limits to comedy.
That said, there is a time and place for these things. A family gathering is not the right place to be pulling out your best black/mexican/jew jokes.