Racism: That's Funny.

To most Americans, this blog post is going to seem very tasteless.  While I hope that I will be proven wrong, this is a reality that I as the writer have grasped, accepted, and have adapted to.

I'm not racist.  I just hate everyone equally!

Now, while the above comment may seem outlandish and humorous, just think about it for one moment.  Suppose in this world, racism was not frowned upon.  Men and women from their prospective races accepted the jokes flung out them, and everything wasn't taken seriously.  George Carlin, comedian and philosoph in some schools of thought adapted this stance.  Why do we have to take some jokes too seriously?  Why can't we laugh at ourselves?

In the article about racism in advertising, not many of these advertisements were American in origin.  They, infact, were foreign.  Yes, it is my belief that the problem is with us America.  We as a country, are way too uptight and need to calm down.  In terms of free countries, we kid the most when it comes to race. 

In a recent business trip to Great Britain, my dad spent 2 weeks inside an office while observing the landscape of London.  Inside the work place lies the true definition of melting pot.  America doesn't even come close.  Africans, Americans, Jews, Islam, Mexican, Asians... all groups were present.  And together, they made humor based around their own race.  A British guy was talking about how all blacks are good for are robbing banks, "shitty" music, and farming cotton in the field they should of owned.  In America, you can only imagine how this scenario would turn out... tons of bad blood and a possible lawsuit.  In Britain, the jest was treated as it should be, with laughter.   Being an American, this threw my Dad for a second, but suddenly he understood.  Race was simply a non-issue.  And so, throughout the work trip my Dad was subject to American jokes and jokes about his Mexican wife.  He did not scream, or shout.  Instead, he asked the Muslim what target he was going to blow up next.

What exactly is stopping Americans from doing as everyone else seemingly does?  Why is race such an issue that we cannot jest even the slightest about it without the occassional lawsuit happening every now and then?

Race is a non-issue.

P.S.  JMU is a diverse campus when you look at it in this light.  But the higher ups are simply screwing with us if they try and add race to this topic.  It's the inside that counts, or are we still THAT shallow?

Shake Weight: Head Out of Gutter

This here is an advertisement for the Shake Weight product, aimed at promoting women's health everywhere.  Now, this advertisement is not aimed at the female population obviously, unless they are buying the shake weight with the same purpose as buying lingerie.  The sexual induendos in the ad are the biting point moreso for gag gifts and husbands who wish to watch their wife work out in style... and what's in style is looking like you are sucking two guys off simutaneously. 

Or was this intially part of the plan?  Because the inuendos are so obvious, especially in ads like this, it makes us laugh.  The item became so popular it was featured on an episode of South Park, and at that point it's notoriety skyrocketed.  Due to the ridiculousness of the product and the ads, it's now a very known product on the market. 

Perhaps it's known for all the wrong reasons, but the advertising company was successful in getting their product known in the market. 

Conferences

There once was a man named Joseph Mastrangelo.  He had an idea at first, but then changed his idea at the last moment.  The topic was cruicial to Joe, as it was his final first paper of the month.  Last the night or two before, he created a draft that he held to highest esteem.  However, he knew the paper was flawed.  Instead of taking it to the writing center, he thought, why not just settle things in the conference?

The conference was a gathering of like-minded individuals all seeking for improvement of their writting.  The other papers seemed to be a lot better in standing when compared to mine.  Joe's topic was David Draiman, lead singer of Distrubed and his emotional battle with his ex-girlfriend's suicide, for he himself has blamed.  Joe had no idea whether or not to keep the narrative form or not, but with his professor's help, he has reached the conclusion that a more essay-informative route was necessary to preserve the ethos and logos of the event.

Joe then saught off on a quest to right the wrongs of his paper.  Not only was the form off, but a whole new set of pictures must be discovered.  He'll need the help of a trusty steed to gather the new photos.  Joe is planning to journey to the far corners in the land known as internet, in hopes that there will be something there for him... and a trip to the writing center to revise his paper once more.

In all, it was a very rewarding experience.  All 3rd person aside, it really helped me out a lot.



...and a picture for the lulz.  +1 if you know it.