Would you be offended if a comedian made a joke about dwarfism?

[girlfriend44]

Seen a comic in the last few days. Was fairly good although I did notice he made reference to dwarfism? It is acceptable now? Is it even funny?

You keep dodging the question though - what is it about Down’s syndrome that’s funny? In the same way the random kid has ‘something amusing’, why is the Down’s syndrome the amusing part?

I think it's fine if he has dwarfism. Personally I think any comedy that relies on isms of any type is a little risky unless the person themselves falls into that category. Like as a white person I wouldn't joke about race etc and women can joke about being female but it doesn't land right when men do it.

I'm a tall person and I would most definitely be offended by a so called joke about anybody with a disability. I work with disabled children. It's not funny and I don't care what any of you say. It's disgusting to make a joke about anyone that is disabled. End of

I have short stature and get sick to death of dwarf jokes. It’s insulting and demeaning. I used to work in a shop (had lots of comments about my lack of height) then as a lecturer and had to put up with the odd snigger and stares over the top of my head. It really dents my confidence. If any other social characteristic was mocked as much as disabled/ dwarfism that comedian would most probably be cancelled or called out. For those saying it’s just comedy/ free speech I bet you or your child don’t have dwarfism.

A funny voice, weird features, odd personality, many things can make someone amusing.

my Dbro has ASD, and is very funny at times to mock due to this, but we both have similar sense of humour so it’s definitely give and take

Again, it depends on the context and joke itself.

Why is this so hard for you to understand

a random kid with DS, not funny, a joke made depending on context would be.

But you said it was the Down’s syndrome that made it funny. You’re being a bit of a coward about that edgy sense of humour of yours. Why is it funny?

Not offended as such. But if he asked my opinion about it I might be a little short.

So being different in some way, easy to categorise as ‘weird,’ makes a kid funny and fair game to mock. Like I said, bullying mentality disguised as comedy. Weird features…

My niece has a son with dwarfism and I’d think I was laughing at him if I laughed at something a comedian said about dwarfism. We have our own laughs with my great nephew just as all families laugh about things but I wouldn’t be happy if others laughed less they were part of our circle.

No, why would it be offensive?

You’re brave posting that on this thread!!

That’s kind of you! You and you family can joke about it but it’s forbidden outside of your circle? Hypocrite

Well yes, if a joke is made about DS, the kid would kind of have to have DS for it to make sense, let alone be funny.

Again, it would be funny based on the joke and or context, do you really not understand how jokes work?

How is that hypocritical?

Depending on the joke itself and context yes, most regular looking or acting people are built for jokes to be made about them.

I’ve just read your ‘weird features and funny voice’ posts, so I guess that’s my answer. Edgy.

Aren’t - damn phone

Context matters a lot. For example, some of the people offended by Rickey Gervais's latest offering didn't get the irony he was using to convey a deeper meaning. So, was your comedian punching down or illustrating something cleverly?

Threads like this are pointless without knowing what the joke is. Saying ‘all dwarfs are arrogant pricks’ is very different to saying ‘I saw a dwarf buying a meal deal in Tesco’ (and then continuing on with the joke)

I have an unusual disability and random jokes and comments are made about it which I find really hard to cope with - it's not always easy to explain why I'm not laughing as it tends to lead to questions and more comments so I kind of let them go to be honest

No, I can't get offended at comedy routines.

Surely there are other jokes that could be made. I can't find someone targeting a minority group for laughs very funny

Regular looking and acting people aren’t built for jokes to be made about them. So exactly what I said - it’s easier to bully people who are ‘weird.’

Not very clever comedy though. It’s just everyone banding together and nervously laughing as the big bully kicks down at the kid with the ‘weird features,’ therefore ensuring the vitriol won’t be turned to them, and they can continue their ‘regular’ existence.

Are you talking about the akit that Billy Connolly did years and years ago about the dwarf on the bus?