When does a cartoon cross the line between a joke and discrimination?
After watching this South Park episode a while ago, I have to admit I laughed first. But now, looking back, what will people who are less educated about Judaism think? If this stereotype is true (according to South Park) why not all the others that are circulating?
One of the creators of South Park - Matt Stone - is Jewish. Does that make this more acceptable than if one of the creators of South Park wasn't Jewish? Can Jews really expect other people not to stereotype them if they themselves are perpetuating the stereotypes...?
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Intention is very important in any ethical situation. I think that the creator of this South Park episode's intention in using this scene is not to promote anti-Semitism but to poke fun at the ridiculousness of such a stereotype. However, I think that as a Jew, Matt Stone, has an obligation to represent Judaism in a positive manner. Although we might understand his intentions, ignorant people who have to relation to Jewish people might truly believe in such a stereotype.
First of all, to clear up any confusion for those looking for the episode (my computer didn't let me watch the one on the link) it is called "2 Days After The Day After Tomorrow" and is in Season 9 of the series.
So the question raised was in regard to the 'Jew Gold' mentioned in the episode and if it was acceptable to portray a stereotype, such as all Jews keeping gold around their necks, that people uneducated on the matter could easily believe. The facts are that this episode mainly revolved around making fun of FEMA, Hurricane Katrina, and the film "The Day After Tomorrow" and the 'Jew Gold' joke literally lasted about 30 seconds. It is common knowledge for a fan of the show that Eric Cartman is an avid anti-Semite (once posing as Hitler and recreating the Holocaust within South Park). So why would a joke like this suddenly cross the line of South Park humour? Some could argue that because the joke was so minorly touched upon it may not have seemed like as much of a joke as earlier stereotypical jokes and therefore might have seemed serious to some people. Others, like me, may believe that to truly accept this obvious joke as being true, a person must already have a firm negative view on the Jewish people. As a Jew, I am honestly more concerned with the storyline making fun of Hurricane Katrina than anything else. But even then, as a South Park fan, I understand their humour and take no offense to any of their jokes.
Besides, all Jewish stereotypes suggest that we own all the banks anyways, so why wouldn't we just keep our 'Jew Gold' there?
As Jewish people, I think we all are addressing this issue with many biases to begin with.
On the surface I think I would have to agree with Dan on most of his opinions. Most Jewish people who watch this show are probably not offended by the jokes made at Jewish people. However those offended are most probably concerned about the perception of the non-Jewish people when watching this show.
It easy to say that the stereotypes in the show really won’t shape individuals feelings towards the Jewish people, but one must realize that a large percentage of viewers of this particular show are easily persuadable youth. A non Jewish adolescence that has had little contact with Jews in his lifetime may be affected either consciously or subconsciously by the subtle jokes of the show. It would probably be rare for someone to spontaneously start feelingly negative towards Jews after watching South Park. However, someone with a neutral or slightly negative perception of Jews may strengthen or further their negative outlook on Jews after watching an episode such as this. When a viewer sees these types of stereotypes on such a public stage, such as television, they may wrongly interpret the values of the shows to be correct. Just because it is ok for us to laugh at ourselves, doesn’t make it right for others to laugh at our expense!
-Garbuz
Firstly, I believe Garbuz made the most important point for any of us to realize before responding to this post.
We are a JEWISH ethics class, who have created a blog for the explicit use of our class and therefore all of the opinions presented on this blog are from the Jewish perspective. Therefore, there is an extreme bias when responding to a post such as this.
Like Dan said, if one were to watch this episode in its entirety, one would see that this episode does not revolve around Jewish stereotypes and really only deals with the stereotype, for these two minutes. Also, like Dan said, the show has incorporated far more extreme cases of stereotypes and anti-Semitism throughout the series.
As for the question regarding Matt Stone, I believe it is unfair to put such heavy expectations on his shoulders. I don’t think you can say that as a Jew he must ensure that this show does not promote anti-Semitic concepts to ensure that stereotypes are not spread. Unfortunately, stereotypes exist no matter what people try to do about it. As well, I am not familiar with Matt Stone’s observance of Judaism, but I will assume he is not extremely observant, and as such, the responsibility of censoring these stereotypes cannot fall to him.
Lastly, the show displays a disclaimer before each episode explicitly stating that the opinions of the characters on the show do not reflect the opinions of the creators etc. and therefore, again one must have the common sense to realize this show is fictional and you just have to hope that people do not take their jokes to heart and use them for hate.
I have a few things to say folks. First off, from a teenager's point of view, who doesn't laugh at stereotypical material. Whether its intention is to shed light on awareness or poke fun of the people stupid enough to laugh, most people including myself are subjected to laughter. It is however unfortunate that there are those out there that believe the garbage they see on television and believe it. This of other pop-culture examples or telelvision shows like Ali-G, and Curb your enthusiasm. Both writers are Jewish but does the material cross the line. I personally am not offended by the material but someone else might think this should never be shown on television. I don't think that one can say, it depends on the intent or purpose or anything else. I think there should be a set mindset for everyone, like creating a absolutist law for either YES, this should be aired, on NO, this should be forbidden.
Heres what I have to say,
If an Asian were to go up to a Caucasian man and say, all Asians are bad drivers trust me. Why wouldn't you believe it? If a Jew were to go up to a secular man and say, all Jews are rich, then why wouldn't u take his word for it? When you make a remark, joke or not, about yourself and your race, you are giving other people the liberty to say it too. Discrimination is a growing issue, but it is never going to halter to a stop unless the race that is being discriminated against stands up for themselves and disprove it. By mocking themselves, why should someone else not be allowed to do so. I think it makes it worst that Matt Stone is a Jew. He is giving everyone watching South Park the liberty to laugh at the expense of discrimination and social injustice.
I have to agree with Shneer in saying that even though many people won't admit it jokes based on stereotypes, especially when used in TV are usually funny. The writers of South Park know who their audience is and are trying to appeal to that audience. Mainly teens watch that show with a very simple sense of humour that find stereotypical jokes very funny. I think the fact of Matt Stone being Jewish is being looked at the wrong way. I think that if he is going to write discriminating jokes against other races and religions he also has to attack his own. If he doesn't do it, then his writing crosses the line and potentially becomes truely discriminating. Many stand up comics of today such as chris rock or russell peters base most of their jokes on steroetypes, but they never forget to also attack their own race or religion. I think that as long as no religious or racial group is specifically targetted the jokes are just meant to make people laugh.
I agree with Hochman. Trey Parker and Matt Stone the writers/creators of south park say numerous times in interviews that there is nothing that they WON'T make fun of. So it is almost necessary to insult all races.
Disclaimer - "All characters and events in this show --even those based on real people-- are entirely fictional. All celebrity voices are impersonated ... poorly. The following program contains coarse language and due to its content it should not be viewed by ANYONE."
This wonderful cartoon is not intended to be taken seriously, it is a satire. Satire- "The use of humor, irony,EXAGGERATION, or ridicule to expose and criticize people." People includes everyone. (Yes, even us Jews).
I agree with Mirelle!!
When a certain race or ethnic group makes discriminatory comments about their own people they are indirectly making it okay for other people to do it. What makes it right for jews to get upset when a non jew calls them cheap if they themselves joke around about being cheap? Another example is the rap music genre which is dominated by african americans. They constantly use the N word in their lyrics which are sung by all different kinds of people. By using the N word so loosly in their songs they are making it okay for all people to use that word, which they find offensive when said by other people. The only way to stop the use of stereotypes towards other races and ethnic groups is for the groups to stop themselves. It is a vicious circle.
I agree with all who said that intention is key to the stereotype. If the intention is to make an audience laugh, then i believe that is ok as long as a certain line is not crossed. however, if the intention is to insult or put down any religion or group of people, not necessarily just judaism, that is not ok. as far as south park and comedy television goes, i think it is ok to crack a few jewish jokes, everyone knows them already anyways. anyone who comes across a humourous stereotype like this and other and is offended, they need to take a chill pill
...in my opinion
so south park, family guy, the simpsons, keep on making those jewish jokes, but if you cross the line and its no longer funny, but more insulting, as a wise man once said "goodluck in all your future endeavours"
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