Humour, in the backdrop of the digital age, spreads like wildfire, leaving no corner untouched. A plethora of messages bombard our screens daily, some individuals seem to have found their niche in spreading cheap, hurtful messages at women. Yet, in pursuit of laughter, some individuals often forget the cardinal rule that humour should not be at the expense of another’s dignity. Their defence: “It’s all just in good humour don’t take it so seriously.” But when does humour cross the line, and become weapon of discrimination?
The irresponsible messenger
A recent message shared in a WhatsApp group serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to condemn such jesters who choose to cloak their insensitivity under the guise of joviality. The message behind the video clipping shared reads, “A woman’s brain is divided into two sides, the left side and the right side. The brain in the left side is nothing right, and the right side of the woman’s brain is nothing left…” In the realm of humour, such insults pierce deeper than they amuse, leaving women to bear the brunt of a misguided jest.
The message, designed to elicit chuckles, depicted a scenario when gender-based usages were shot as punch-lines. What this person might not have realised is that humour at the expense of an entire gender is not just distasteful; it’s a deceptive form of discrimination.
The disguise of hilarity
The most intriguing aspect of such messages is the guise of joviality they wear. At first glance, they may appear harmless, even hilarious to some. After all, who doesn’t enjoy a good laugh? However, this humour is a double-edged sword. While some may laugh, others may cringe, and many more might be deeply hurt.
The one who propagated this unsavoury message may inadvertently assume the mantle of a satirist, without knowing the inappropriateness between the light-heartedness they intended and the insensitivity they delivered. Such satirical slips are indeed comical, but only in their tragically miscalculated execution.
The defence of ignorance
They often defend themselves by claiming ignorance, insisting that the intent was never to hurt or demean anyone and that it was all in good fun. Yet, this defence is an evasion of responsibility. Ignorance is not an excuse when the impact is real and harmful.
Humour should bring people together, not tear them apart. Instead of hiding behind the “just joking” excuse, acknowledge the harm that is done and strive for a society where humour is inclusive and free from discrimination.
The power of humour
Humour, indeed a powerful tool, dismantles stress. A clever diplomat, it can untangle knotty disputes, unite people, and even challenge societal norms. Battlegrounds can turn into playgrounds. However, when humour is misused to perpetuate stereotypes, it becomes a weapon that indirectly contributes to the suffering of a particular group. A misogynistic joke under the facade of joviality is nothing but an insult in disguise.
The said video-clipping message employs the age-old notion of intellectual inadequacy based on gender, reducing the women’s mental faculties to a mere punch-line. Such attempts at humour are far from innocuous; they are sarcastically acerbic, bruising the hard-won progress women have made in their fight for equality. Remember, humour is the handshake of hearts and the secret code of camaraderie.
The role of bystanders
Bystanders in these situations can also play a crucial role. If you come across such messages, do not stay silent. Use your voice to condemn such content and educate those who share it about the harm they may be causing. They can create a safer and more inclusive digital space.
True humour should uplift us all, not drag anyone down. A wise man once said: “Laughter is the shortest distance between two people”. Make that distance one that brings us closer, not one that drives us apart.
