Comments on: ‘I’m Puerto Rican—I’d Be Great at Selling Drugs’; ‘Not Married? She Must Be a Lesbian’

By: Luke Visconti

Luke Visconti — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:28:13 +0000

I don’t think it’s arbitrary at all – it’s connected with quality and consistency. For example, many Italian Americans were offended by The Sopranos – in my observation, it was mostly people of my father’s generation, not mine (or younger). I wasn’t offended, mainly for the reason you stated – it was a great show and the issues transcended being Italian American – and HBO has earned a reputation of producing quality work. On the other hand, I find MTV’s Jersey Shore to be offensive in almost every way possible, but vacuous and cynically exploitative content (and behavior) is characteristic of that network, so nobody says much. I think the difference is that the ABC show Work It was not well produced and it clumsily reached for cheap laughs based on offensive one-liners. It is also not indicative of ABC’s work; for example, Modern Family is another ABC show that I think is very well and lovingly done – but could, in theory, offend many people. Being out of poor quality and out of character made it doubly offensive. Luke Visconti, CEO of DiversityInc

By: Federico Forlano

Federico Forlano — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:34:43 +0000

I used to feel the same way about the Sopranos. Being of Italian heritage, I was all offended over a show that I had never watched. It definietly perpetuated Italian stereotypes. But then I watched it and realized not only were many of the character portrayls accurate, it was a really well produced show. I think people should stop being so offended over everything. If the show is that bad, it will be cancelled, and if it’s not, then it deserves to be on the air. What happened to the famous line “You can always change the channel”? Is it arbitary depending on who is offended?

By: michael barrett

michael barrett — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:47:55 +0000

I have to agree with Mr. Visconti on this point: People in leadership roles or in large organizations must avoid EEO violations, even if they see no immediate harm in a particular joke. And even if they are absolutely certain that nobody being told the joke will be offended, there is the danger of a “third party” overhearing the joke and being offended. I think all of us know someone who has had to apologize, and rightfully so, for a joke that reached the wrong ears. As an EEO lawyer and as someone familiar with the TV business, I can assure you that TV production companies are constantly wrestling with EEO boundaries — concerning both their audience and their employees — and, as always, cash is the decisive factor. If and when networks see a dent in their cash flow, they will respond accordigly.

By: Luke Visconti

Luke Visconti — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:06:06 +0000

Making fun of “something” is pretty broad. Would you say the joke that begins “why did the chicken cross the road?” makes fun of the chicken? I don’t think it does. I am a member of a pan-Latino group (an Anglo member, but was elected Member of the Year in 2006). The group was started by Puerto Ricans, and membership, at first, was mostly people who were from Puerto Rico. At one meeting, a group of guys started telling Puerto Rican jokes. I walked away laughing – saying “I cannot be a part of this” – they got it, but laughed even harder. My point is that this happens – stereotypes can be funny. However, if you are in a leadership role, or responsible for content in a major network that is leveraging stereotypes in a lame attempt to make people laugh, it’s offensive – especially if you are from the majority culture. Along those lines, please keep this in mind – a man cannot make a joke about a woman or women and be appropriate in any professional setting. There may be an exception to that rule, but I can’t think of it offhand. Before someone emails me to say how “unfair” that is, look up the answers to the following questions: How many women CEOs of Fortune 500 companies are there? What is the percentage of women in Congress? How many women presidents of the United States are there? What percentage of business equity worldwide is owned by women? (That’s a tough one to find – WEConnect.org estimates only 1%). Luke Visconti, CEO of DiversityInc

By: michael barrett

michael barrett — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:52:22 +0000

Mr. Visconti is likely correct on both counts: the producers are probably insensitive and apparently not all that funny. But judging humor is a tricky business. I’m trying to apply Mr. Visconti’s standard of using only humor that doesn’t rely on pre-conceived notions — stereotypes — concerning groups or individuals, and I’m having difficulty. Please tell us a joke that doesn’t rely on stereotypes or make fun of something.

By: Meredith Curry

Meredith Curry — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:18:40 +0000

I disagree that it’s okay to make comments within your own race/gender, etc. Granted, this show is not in the workplace, but if I had employees repeating these jokes, they could face disciplinary action (even if it’s a verbal repimand).

As someone who investigates workplace civil rights complaints, and conducts civil rights training, I can assure you that even if an employee is making comments within their own race/color, gender, etc. a civil rights complaint can be filed and there is the potential of a probable cause finding, if not severe and pervasive enough to get the case into court.

By: Meredith Curry

Meredith Curry — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:15:22 +0000

Mr. Visconti: Well said. As I tell my classes when conducting Diversity training, “Anyone that is the victim of the punchline is not appropriate.”

By: Luke Visconti

Luke Visconti — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 15:58:33 +0000

The character does not have free will. It is fiction made up by people who are exceptionally insensitive and apparently not good at what they do. Luke Visconti, CEO of DiversityInc

By: Richard Hohn

Richard Hohn — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:51:56 +0000

I watched this show. I thought some of it was very funny. As long as the character is making comments within his character’s own ethnic origin it is acceptable. If the white guy had said something about the Puerto Rican then you would have an argument. My advice to the author of this article is to stop beating the war drums and get over it.

By: Luke Visconti

Luke Visconti — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:05:09 +0000

Here's a clear guideline: Leveraging stereotypes for a laugh is almost always offensive. Luke Visconti, CEO of DiversityInc