LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: I was thinking about rape jokes and what makes them acceptable/unacceptable when I stumbled on this NYT article about female comedians and rape jokes. Turns out lots of female comedians make jokes about rape, and the trend has only gotten more popular. Sometimes it’s part of an effort to fit into the “boy’s club” of stand-up comedy. The article includes rape jokes – from the most offensive: “I was raped by a doctor, which is so bittersweet for a Jewish girl” to the most socially aware: “Who’s going to complain about rape jokes? Rape victims? They barely even report rape.”
From the NYT article "Female Comedians, Breaking the Taste-Taboo Ceiling"
This article can spark confusion and anger among readers, especially those who think rape jokes are an important social issue. Lady T, author of the blog “The Funny Feminist,” wrote a post on her reactions to the article. She works through her opinions on rape jokes in response to excerpts from the article. Her conclusion: rape jokes that reinforce rape culture and trivialize rape are NOT okay. This includes “jokes that imply that rape is totally funny, that make fun of victims, or try to imply that rape is totally not a big deal.” Rape jokes that criticize rape culture, make fun of rapists and “acknowledge that rape is underreported and terrible” are acceptable. However, ALL rape jokes have the power to trigger victims’ memories and hurt them.
I know of two rape jokes that fall under the acceptable category. They are both feminist rape jokes, because they’re performed by feminist comedians. These jokes confront society’s acceptance of rape, society’s treatment of women and the logic we use to normalize rape. The first joke is by Wanda Sykes. It criticizes the idea that a woman’s most valuable possession is her body. WARNING: Video contains foul language.
The second is by Tig Notaro. Her monotone delivery is perfect.
These women are witty and hilarious. Their jokes use humor as a platform on which to raise issues of rape and deconstruct sexual violence norms. Listen to the ideas behind the jokes. Share them with your friends. And feel free to laugh – you don’t have to feel guilty about these.
amgator 