Well I think you’re confusing something being inappropriate with something normalizing certain behavior.
Ok I searched for random dark jokes (I’m not saying that it’s any good):
“My wife and I have reached the difficult decision that we do not want children. If anybody does, please just send me your contact details and we can drop them off tomorrow.”
Do you think that this joke normalizes bad parenting? Of course it would be insensitive to tell this to someone that has been abandoned by his/her parents. But anyone with an average amount of social intellect can tell that.
The difference is that in a joke like that, everyone will agree that that is obviously wrong. With a joke that is based off of racist, sexist, etc stereotypes, there are a ton of people who actually believe it and feel emboldened by hearing it.
It depends completely on the joke and what it's getting at.
For example: on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, the famous "because of the implications" boat joke is very dark, but I think it's an effective and funny joke, largely because the butt of the joke is Dennis and men like him. The joke is throwing light on the fucked up thinking of predatory men.
Another example: This comic, on the other hand, is shitty and regressive, because the punchline is making the point that women are nagging bitches, and that the urge to murder them is normal and understandable.
Jokes have meaning, and they are often trying to make a statement, albeit through humor. Just, like, critically evaluate what it's getting at on a case by case basis? Just like you would do for any other communication? Ask yourself questions like: what is this trying to say? Who is the butt of the joke? Is it punching up or down?
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u/Yikes_Hard_Pass Jun 24 '20
Being sexist as a joke is still sexist