In general it takes a level of skill to tell a joke about a marginalized group without punching down that is exceptionally rare. For example, I can think of one or two male comedians who have told rape jokes that did not make rape victims the butt of the joke. If a trans person tells a joke about the trans experience and fucks it up, other trans people won’t feel like a cis person is just adding to the atmosphere of hate toward them.
My philosophy of comedy is that you can joke about any tragedy you want, but make it absolutely fucking crystal clear that you are on the victim’s side. Plus, punching up is always funnier than punching down.
I think it definitely needs to be done tactfully and without hate, but joking about one another is an important part of being included and feeling like we all belong together.
In general it takes a level of skill to tell a joke about a marginalized group without punching down that is exceptionally rare. For example, I can think of one or two male comedians who have told rape jokes that did not make rape victims the butt of the joke. If a trans person tells a joke about the trans experience and fucks it up, other trans people won’t feel like a cis person is just adding to the atmosphere of hate toward them.
My philosophy of comedy is that you can joke about any tragedy you want, but make it absolutely fucking crystal clear that you are on the victim’s side. Plus, punching up is always funnier than punching down.
I think it definitely needs to be done tactfully and without hate, but joking about one another is an important part of being included and feeling like we all belong together.