Welcome to a post about rape jokes.

January 20, 2010 1:28 PM

Let me tell you a thing you might not know: the inability to hear rape “jokes” without flashbacks, Hulk rage, and “air quotes” is one of the enduring parting gifts of a rapist. Here is how this goes: A woman walks into a rape, uh, bar.

Fugitivus has a number of other posts about the subject. On changing behavior, on fighting back, on socialization, and on force are just a few.

posted by lunit (3 comments total)

Hmmm. I feel like we've covered this before. If I remember correctly, the consensus was that rape jokes weren't funny, but then someone said "hold on" and posted a Louis CK joke. I believe it involved Hitler. I could be mistaken. Some liked it, some did not. Regardless, rape jokes are certainly one of those things that, like the blogger, leaves me baffled whenever anyone tries it - I can only think: really? A rape joke? What the hell is wrong with you?

And what the hell is up with the love for Mike Tyson? This blogger put it well: Notorious rapist climbs stage, is met with applause and loving jokes about how he could beat folks up (for example, prior to and/or while raping them).
posted by billysumday at 1:38 PM on January 20, 2010 [1 favorite]

Because rape jokes are only considered acceptable in our society when referring to males in prison. (Anybody have a comparative count of the times that trope was used by Leno vs. Conan?)
posted by oneswellfoop at 1:39 PM on January 20, 2010 [4 favorites]

Best and Worst Rape Jokes from The Onion.

Sorry, I'm gonna hold on to the viewpoint that even the most terrible things in life can be funny, maybe it's just a defense mechanism for some. Laughter can often be an involuntary experience, that pops up even if you take a subject entirely seriously and are well socialized.
posted by furiousxgeorge at 1:46 PM on January 20, 2010