In Group Out Group Theory

"In group Out group" theory is a pretty simple thing. It's about the only thing I remember form my husband Dissertation, other than all the wine I drank while he complained over dinner. Basiclly we are social beings and as such we attach ourselves to groups. You never exist in just one group, but the groups that you belong to you dictate your reactions to other groups. And I think this applies to our topics this week. The idea of hate speech and group theories do go hand in hand. Chris Rock is hillarious, and he makes a lot of racial jokes. But if a white guy did that same routine, would it be funny or would it be hate speech?

The article we read about "Blue Collar Comedy" goes a bit to prove this idea of groups. The comics are able with their background to create a sense of authenticity. Again if a well educated man from the north did those routines it would loose something. Not just that but I'm fairly sure people would take offense. Folksy charm is only charming when it's authentic, otherwise it's parody and mean. This in group idea only seems important in regards of the presenter. Any audience can enjoy a routine that connect with, as long as it's sincere and authentic. Meaning that's it's deemed funny and not hateful. And the line for this was drawn back in grade school. I can call my little brother a goofus, but you better not. My little sister is mine to abuse not your's. It's really the same thing. If they are in my group I can raze them, but if you do, it may be hostile. Better tread lightly.

It's also an interesting side note that the facts of the events are irrelevant. In fact sometimes things are funnier when you know they aren't true. When it's blown up just enough to distance anyone from going through it. The Blue collar guys are funny whether they ever lived in trailers or not, because they play it up so you believe that maybe or maybe not. You don't feel that you're laughing at them so much as with them. So many things are easeir to deal with if there is an element of fiction to them. Horror flicks are good fun, but war documentaries make my stomach turn. Same thing for comedy.