What's the story with Jews?

[flobadob]

Can they be made fun of? They seem to always be funny(sometimes). Also they seem to always have to mention they are Jewish. Is this a necessity? I've only just noticed this watching a Family Guy thing on BBC3.

[naomi24]

I've never seen Family Guy, but I googled it and I see it's a cartoon. The Simpsons' Christian next door neighbour is an object of fun as is the Asian shopkeeper and most other cartoon characters, so what's the difference?

[Nadis]

"Only Fools and Horses" Del-Boy played by David Jason used Jewish or "Yiddish" phrases as a large proportion of the early East Londoners were Jewish or descended from.
I don't remember him saying he was Jewish but we still remember the phrases and laugh.
Kosher Innit ! :0)
Nadis

[Greedyfly]

I think you will find quite a few American tv series/sitcoms mock Jewish people. It seems Americans are allowed?! I have no idea why they do it or indeed how they get away with it.

[Sqad]

flobadob...I tried to raise this quite interesting topic some months ago, but it was reported and withdrawn and I was called "prick" LOL

You are very brave to open up the discussion and wish you well.

[joggerjayne]

i dont think they mock jews

they mock certain stereotypical characteristics of jewishness

attratction to bling, frequency of shopping, frugaluity with money, etc

[boxtops]

I wouldn't use Family Guy as your yardstick, it's funny but hardly politically correct! I don't see why Jews are any more funny than anyone else, any more than the "Englishman-Scotsman-Irishman goes into a bar" jokes. If we could only make good-natured jokes as we used to, about national habits and myths, etc., without everyone getting upset these days.... ho hum.

[joggerjayne]

boxy is right

jokes are good natured

most people see humour in them

some people see malice, or think they see prejudice

they see it because they want to see it

they need to believe that malice, or racial prejudice exists, even where it doesnt

the malice, and the racism, is in their own heads

when people hear a harmless gag, and say ... thats racist or malicious ... it is they who have instantly thought about racism or prejudice ... they just cant help it

[Bobbisox]

I live near a large Jewish community and find them law-abiding and polite people

[naomi24]

Jayne has it absolutely right.

[boxtops]

Yes - well commented jj

[joggerjayne]

brighton has a fairly large jewish community

well, i say brighton

they all live in hove, actually

jews seem to prefer the slightly classier, more orderly, end of town

brighton itself is a bit rough and ready

we probably have more occultists down this end of town

[boxtops]

Must go to specsavers - I thought you said Oculists...

[joggerjayne]

lol

brighton occult trivia ...

the world's biggest occult festival ("occulture") started here

sussex was the last county in britain to accept chritianity in place of pagan religions

doreen valiente (the "mother of modern witchcraft") lived here

we have a famous occult shop called dragons gate, run by a mrs dragon

aleister crowley was cremeted just up the road, and used to write about brighton

[boxtops]

I wish I were there at the moment, the Brighton Festival was always my fave time of year, I loved going into the Open Houses and looking at the art and crafts.

[joggerjayne]

it is very jolly

but its always nice here

cant you do a day trip, boxy ?

[boxtops]

JJ I could, it takes a couple of hours on the train, I have to use the Marsh Link but it's not that far. You are giving me ideas.....

[123everton]

There are many great Jewish comedians, and their stock in trade has often been self deprecation.
This is not dissimilar to Chris Rock using the 'N' word to great effect in his act or gay people talking about their own communities, it's of them so it's ok.
When people from outside of that social group start skitting it, you head towards dodgier ground.
To use a Chris Rock analogy, skinny people shouldn't laugh at fat people cos "that's just mean!"

[joggerjayne]

everton

it would be mean to laugh AT a fat person

but not mean to laugh ABOUT fat people

the old classic ...

"how do you get a fat woman into bed?

piece of cake"

is just funny.

[123everton]

Potato potarto, good joke though.

[brionon]

The Jews,unlike many,can laugh at themselves.