This was clearly a satirical piece. Satire, by definition, is characterized by drawing attention to stereotypes, assumptions, and irrational presumptions, by making them so enormous that they can't be ignored, and so that their absurdity is made clear.
A satirical commercial that draws attention to the stereotype of the "street-rat crazy" menopausal woman is not insulting women, menopausal or otherwise. Quite the OPPOSITE, it is drawing that stereotype out into the open and magnifying it to its absurd outward limit, in order to point out how preposterous it is, and using that as a source of humor. "Look at this ridiculous stereotype," satire says, "look at how absurd it is. Now laugh at it, take away its power, see it for the farce that it is."
I am still astonished at how many people choose to take offense at satire, rather than observe the commentary it is providing, and partake in the healthy laughter at something so preposterous.
Becoming offended only reinforces the stereotype one dislikes. Laughing at a satire of that stereotype revokes its validity, and contributes to its dissolution.
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This was clearly a satirical piece. Satire, by definition, is characterized by drawing attention to stereotypes, assumptions, and irrational presumptions, by making them so enormous that they can't be ignored, and so that their absurdity is made clear.
A satirical commercial that draws attention to the stereotype of the "street-rat crazy" menopausal woman is not insulting women, menopausal or otherwise. Quite the OPPOSITE, it is drawing that stereotype out into the open and magnifying it to its absurd outward limit, in order to point out how preposterous it is, and using that as a source of humor. "Look at this ridiculous stereotype," satire says, "look at how absurd it is. Now laugh at it, take away its power, see it for the farce that it is."
I am still astonished at how many people choose to take offense at satire, rather than observe the commentary it is providing, and partake in the healthy laughter at something so preposterous.
Becoming offended only reinforces the stereotype one dislikes. Laughing at a satire of that stereotype revokes its validity, and contributes to its dissolution.
May 17, 2009 - 6:53pmThis Comment
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