From: vince.maiocco@satalink.com (Vince Maiocco)
Newsgroups: rec.humor
Subject: Re: Seriously, a joke.
Date: 5 Jan 93 08:40:00 GMT
Reply-To: vince.maiocco@satalink.com (Vince Maiocco)
Organization: Datamax/Satalink Connection * Ivyland, PA (215) 443-9434

RR>I, too, find "offensive" a bit too strong...
RR>
RR>Although we nowadays are taught to be more careful about stereotypes, 
RR>they do often have some foundation in fact if you go back far enough.

Suze, first, letme say that I find a lot of humor in well-written ethnic 
jokes despite the fact that I make every effort to avoid stereotyping 
(as well as discrimination) in my everyday life.  But I think it's 
appropriate to warn you that you may be a victim of it yourself in the 
above statement.  Allow me to explain:  Stereotypes do *NOT* have a 
foundation in fact - ever.  That's why they're called stereotypes.  I'll 
elucidate using your own examples, below:

RR>Scots had to be thrifty because they (Highlanders, at least) came 
RR>from a place where it could be very hard to make a living, and often 
RR>had little to share.

Change the word "Scots" to "Italian Immigrants" (you can even leave the 
"Highlanders" part in) and the comment is still true.  Why did the Scots 
get the reputation for "thrift" and not the Italians?  Stay tuned.

RR>Jews, during the Middle Ages (and later in many places) were usually 
RR>quite restricted in where they could go, how they could make a living 
RR>inside their ghettos.  They, too, were forced to be very careful with 
RR>a penny.

Once again, I ask what ethnic group emigrating to the states didn't have 
this same problem?  The Africans, Irish, Italians, Poles?  Your 
description fits every one of them.  Why was "Shylock" tacked only onto 
the Jews?  I'm gettin' there, bear with me, although I'll warn you, now; 
you're liable to be very disappointed<G>.

RR>I know less about why the Quakers had this reputation, but since they 
RR>were also an oppressed minority at one time, I assume it may have been 
RR>similar to what gave the Jews their reputation.

Two thoughts, here; my wife is a Quaker(birthright) and so I may have 
some insight into this stereotype.  Many Quakers, at least in this part 
of the country, put a great deal of importance on conservative, long term 
investments and have also established a great number of social service 
systems and constructs that are available to all, but are intended first 
to serve the Quaker Community.  Things like retirement homes, retirement 
communities, hospitals and foreign missions are primarily the result of 
what Friends tend to do with their money(at least, this is my 
understanding).  These various organizations, as I've already said, are 
available to anyone, but "Quakers get in for free", you might say.  The 
second comment I wanted to make on your last statement, above, is that 
you, youself realize the true source of stereotyping, xenophobia!  The 
Quakers and the Jews(and every other ethnics group) were(are) at one time 
or another severely discriminated against and, being different, were all 
lumped together with stereotypes.  I told you you'd be disappointed<G>.

RR>I don't see the harm in this joke, so long as people realize that the 
RR>old stereotypes are not very true in modern times, due to the increase 
RR>in the possibilities open to all these folk.

Well, I don't see any harm in a joke, either, and I believe that the 
stereotypes were never true, but I wonder if the opprotunities don't 
still have some increasing to do before an ethics opportunities are as 
great as a Wasp's.

RR>Now, if you were daft enough to *believe* the stereotypes..... :-(
RR>But we aren't that stupid, are we?

No, thank goodness, we're not

OBjoke:  Why don't Mexicans barbecue?  The beans keep falling thru the 
         grille.

         How do you stop a Black kid from bouncing on the bed?  Put
         Velcro on the ceiling.

         Why do Italians have flat foreheads and no necks?  The lack of a 
         neck is due to their hunching their shoulders every time you ask 
         them a simple question, and the flat foreheads come from their 
         smacking themselves there when you tell them the answer.

         What do you get when you cross a Mafia guy with an Engineer?  
         Someone who makes you an offer you can't understand<G>.

All of the above is brought to you by a second generation Italian, with 
an Uncle who's an Engineer, and some of whose best friends are Black, 
although I admit I don't know any Mexicans<G>.  The Dept. of Immigration 
in Philly has an excellent record for keeping Mexicans and Cubans from 
boating in here, as well as Canadians, although we do seem to be 
attracting a lot of those Vietnamese types.  Ever notice how much they 
love the family dog?  With rice and green beans seems to be their 
favorite<G>.

L8r.


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Newsgroups: rec.humor