Jimmy Carr’s Racist Joke

[Knutface]

www.theguardian.com/culture/2022/feb/04/jimmy-carr-condemned-for-joke-about-gypsies-in-netflix-special

Not something that I find funny but it has highlighted something. Racism against Roma/Sinti people is widely acceptable and not treated in the same away as racism against other minorities. Years ago I worked for a local authority in an area with a fair few traveller sites and noticed that staff that would never dream of using slurs against black or Asian people openly did so against travellers. AIBU to think that this is the ‘joke’? Anti Roma sentiment is unfortunately widespread.

@ElenaCouch This is an interesting overview of GRT history.

travellermovement.org.uk/gypsy-roma-and-traveller-history-and-culture

I’m not getting into any discussions btw because I’ve stated facts and said that it’s just some of them.

Jimmy Carr is Benard Manning for people who sneer at Bernard Manning. He is a tax-dodging cunt. Why is anyone surprised at this?

@Booboobibles

I’m not getting into any discussions btw because I’ve stated facts and said that it’s just some of them.

That's OK then - you just post as much disgusting racist crap as you like, and nobody will challenge you because you've said you're not up for it

I think some of the responses on here are neatly proving Carr's point lol.

I've now reported four posts on here for racist views. They are openly implying that all travellers (or, in one case, specifically all Irish travellers) are criminals and delinquents. These are harmful views.

As Jimmy Carr specifically stated, he made a joke about a bad thing. He did not condone the bad thing. Whether or not you find it funny, I find it hard to see how it stokes negative views and potential demonisation in the way that PPs have with their posts.

Many travellers are good people. Some aren't.
Many people are good people. Some aren't.
Don't lump huge groups of people together and generalise about their behaviours.

@Agrudge

Agreed, like racist jokes against white people have always been acceptable

It’s white people making the jokes though.

That joke is abhorrent but you seem to be implying it’s minorities.

Hmmm I'm on the fence.

I don't think any joke about the Holocaust or genocide is good, no matter how "clever", it's just a no - go for me.

But, from what I'm seeing, travellers come from many different ethnic backgrounds. So if a comedian takes a pop at a travellor for their behaviour, I'm not sure I'd think that was racist, as they could be Irish, Scottish, northern India etc etc. It's not about their actual race, so I guess it would be more like a hate crime? But I'm not sure, I think being a travellor still seems fair game for a joke, if written well, if it was about behaviour.

But they are a recognised race according to law so it's a moot point I guess.

@SkiingIsHeaven

Totally out of order.

David Baddiel made a good point. Would a joke about the KKK killing black people be funny or acceptable?

We had the misfortune of being given tickets to see Jimmy Carr. He was just rude and tried to be really shocking and controversial. Not clever, witty or funny.

If anyone needs "cancelling" it is this idiot.

To racists, yes.

I can't abide Jimmy Carr, but the irony of David Baddiel commenting is sickening. Has he forgotten his own past now?

@Knutface

www.theguardian.com/culture/2022/feb/04/jimmy-carr-condemned-for-joke-about-gypsies-in-netflix-special

Not something that I find funny but it has highlighted something. Racism against Roma/Sinti people is widely acceptable and not treated in the same away as racism against other minorities. Years ago I worked for a local authority in an area with a fair few traveller sites and noticed that staff that would never dream of using slurs against black or Asian people openly did so against travellers. AIBU to think that this is the ‘joke’? Anti Roma sentiment is unfortunately widespread.

I thought most travellers were Irish? Are the Irish travellers of Roma/Sinti origin or do some people just use the word "gypsy" to refer to Irish travellers too? I always thought Irish travellers were ethnically white Irish?

@Agrudge

I think people need to lighten up.

Maybe the laughter wasnt at what he said,just the fact he had the nerve to say .

People need to lighten up…about genocide? What is wrong with you, exactly?

@lonelyapple You’re currently on internet. You can Google this.

@phishy

It didnt quote was I was meant to.

I agree that racism towards certain groups is seen as more 'acceptable' .

Racist jokes towards white people are never called out

Also, sticking neck out dangerously further. MIL was looking at buying a house but she had heard their was a council recognized travellor site nearby.

She asked me to help, I looked it up online for her and told her that there was a proposal for one.

She didn't buy the house for this reason.

Were we racist?

@Agrudge

I think people need to lighten up.

Maybe the laughter wasnt at what he said,just the fact he had the nerve to say .

You think people need to lighten up? About the Holocaust?!

I recently watched stand up on YouTube & came across this slimy little shit bag. He was so bad that I switched off, but I was more shocked at the audience who were laughing at paedo jokes … Are his fans all sex offenders to find him so funny?

Let’s hope the travelers don’t catch up with him.

@ElenaCouch

Also, sticking neck out dangerously further. MIL was looking at buying a house but she had heard their was a council recognized travellor site nearby.

She asked me to help, I looked it up online for her and told her that there was a proposal for one.

She didn't buy the house for this reason.

Were we racist?

Depends why you were put off by it

Because all i ever heard about travellors in general (not every individual) is that they are disruptive, litter, can be violent.

So I wouldn't choose to live close to a known traveler site, for fear of disruption to the neighborhood and also market value of my home.

I'm not trying to be offensive btw, I'm just trying to be honest and I guess, highlight my ignorance, so people know that there's a side that isn't hate filled.

@Stevenage689

I've now reported four posts on here for racist views. They are openly implying that all travellers (or, in one case, specifically all Irish travellers) are criminals and delinquents. These are harmful views.

As Jimmy Carr specifically stated, he made a joke about a bad thing. He did not condone the bad thing. Whether or not you find it funny, I find it hard to see how it stokes negative views and potential demonisation in the way that PPs have with their posts.

Many travellers are good people. Some aren't.
Many people are good people. Some aren't.
Don't lump huge groups of people together and generalise about their behaviours.

But he did condone the bad thing, he specifically called it a positive aspect of the Holocaust. If he really needed to make a joke about it, he needed to find a different way to do it, that didn't appear to celebrate tens of thousands of deaths.

SkiingIsHeaven
David Baddiel made a good point. Would a joke about the KKK killing black people be funny or acceptable?

Jimmy Carr is a straight White man hence can and will get away with this - THAT is the issue, not "yeah but if he said it about Black people...."🙄

What possible use is comparison? Its not a game or competition

Notwithstanding Baddiel himself has been racist towards a Black man (thats conveniently forgotten nowadays) so who is he to talk anyway...

White men mocking marginalised groups safe in the knowledge they'll be defended for it is nothing new. & most often isn't called out, in favour of diverting from point/commenting about other marginalised groups in comparative fashion because really, nobody much wants to truly protest against those with privilege to freely 'joke' do they?

Its all lip-service