cactus jack and the gay man., page-6

Hi farmerblue. To me the joke is offensive and racist. Ask yourself this question. What is the purpose of the word "Aboriginal" in the joke? Would it be funny without that word? Would it work if you just had "A man" instead of Aboriginal?

Clearly, the joke depends upon the racial stereotyping of Aboriginals as slackers. Funny? possibly and even some Aboriginals might laugh at it in irony and because they have great senses of humour. But what about all those Aboriginals who want to work but can't because there are no opportunities for them either because of where they are or because of long-term deprivation of opportunity.

My standard test with these types of jokes is to try and put myself in the shoes of the people targetted in the joke and ask how they might feel about it.