[nfb-talk] National Federation of the Blind CommentsonSaturdayNight Live Segment

[Dan Hicks]

"Wm. Ritchhart" <william.ritchhart at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

> I am still dying for the people from SNL to explain the following?
>
> If racially stereotyped jokes are not appropriate, and gender
> stereotyped   jokes are not appropriate, and sexual orientation
> stereotyped jokes are not appropriate, then why is it appropriate to
> make jokes about someone's blindness?
>
>
> This is the same negative humor that every other minority group has had
> to endure.  Any person who has ever been the but of this kind of
> so-called humor should be offended.  If they are not, then I believe
> they have forgotten their past.
>

Ah, but you make the point for the sketch. SNL does occasionally skewer 
black stereotypes and gay stereotypes and gender stereotypes. It could be 
argued the bringing to the attention of the public the fact that a  blind 
guy can be a governor might be -- on balance -- a positive statement. Well, 
perhaps.

SNL is not going to go out of its way to present a positive view of 
blindness per se for one simple reason: that would not be funny. Presenting 
a positive view of blindness is not the job of the show's writers -- it is 
ours.

I once talked to a blind guy who thought NFB should protest the Comedy 
Central series South Park because it does not have a blind character. I 
shudder to think of what a trainwreck that might be. Let's hope they don't 
think of it.

Here is another link to the SNL sketch. And, "sketch" is the correct word, 
as apposed to "skit." Quick, before YouTube pulls it.  Ignore the phony 
Twilight Zone garbage at the beginning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbEIZLxFyFA

I am really going to miss Amy Pohler.

Dan

"If you want to go quickly, go alone.
 If you want to go far, go together."
                        - African Proverb