Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
We’re having sex,
Because I’m stronger than you.
Ha! Hilarious, right? Wrong. Jokes about rape are not funny in any context, and it’s shocking that some people still believe they are.
With a month dedicated to Sexual Assault Awareness, it’s critical to remember that one in five women faces the threat of rape in her lifetime. Furthermore, we live in a society where millions voted for a leader who, in a now-infamous video, seemed to either confess to or joke about sexual assault. This is the reality we navigate.
I enjoy humor and comedy, but I can’t stand when they are twisted by misogynistic individuals or by comedians who lack the talent to rise above the basest forms of humor. Enter the talented female comedians, along with a few enlightened male counterparts, who cleverly turn the narrative around by lampooning rape culture itself.
The Distinction
What’s the distinction, you might wonder? There’s a vast difference between mocking victims and critiquing the offenders or the societal norms that protect them. Smart comedy, as they say, should punch up rather than down. In other words, it’s more effective to target those who misuse power than to belittle those who fall victim to it. (I feel like saying “Duh” here, but alas, this is our world.)
The essence of jokes about rape culture is their anti-rape stance. Even when not intended as pro-rape, traditional rape jokes often come across that way. Many who share them may not realize their impact, but they certainly don’t grasp why they’re problematic. Rape jokes perpetuate a culture that trivializes severe trauma and fosters attitudes that embolden assaulters. They alienate, shame, and isolate survivors.
Conversely, jokes about rape culture function like effective satire, exposing the absurdity of the beliefs and societal norms that allow perpetrators, like Brock Turner, to evade justice. Such humor reclaims power from abusers, shifting the conversation from “What were you wearing?” to “Why are you committing rape?” and from “Don’t get raped” to “Don’t rape.”
Last summer, the website Reductress published an entire section dedicated to satire on rape culture, featuring headlines like “I Anonymously Reported My Rape for the Anonymous Attention” and “‘Most Women Lie About Rape,’ Says Man Lying About Rape.” Those are the kinds of jokes that can make people think and laugh at the same time.
Challenges in Comedy
However, the comedy landscape still faces challenges. For example, Dave Chapelle’s recent Netflix special includes some troubling references to rape. After reading an article discussing those jokes, I made the mistake of diving into the comments section, where many defended him. One commenter proclaimed, “It’s 2023; everyone makes rape jokes.”
Not true. And that mindset contributes to rape culture. Why is this so hard to understand?
If you find humor in coercing someone into sexual acts against their will, it’s time for a serious reality check. There’s a reason we don’t joke about child molestation in ways that mock victims or about the tragedies of 9/11. Some topics are simply too grave to be fodder for laughs, and being raped should unequivocally be one of them.
On the other hand, the ridiculous justifications and trivializations found in rape culture? That’s ripe for humor, especially when done skillfully. Comedians, please, keep dismantling rape culture one clever joke at a time.
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Summary
Jokes about rape are never acceptable, as they trivialize the serious issue of sexual assault and perpetuate harmful attitudes. However, jokes that critique rape culture can be a powerful form of satire, illuminating the absurdities of societal norms that protect perpetrators. By focusing on the culture rather than the victims, comedians can reclaim power and encourage conversations that foster understanding and change.