Sexist jokes are no fun!

When I pointed out that a friend’s joke bordered on sexist humor, I was told, “This is just a joke. Lighten! He is a good man. He respects you, ”and in turn, I was called humorless and overly sensitive feminist. The world of comedy has been a bridge to bring people together and spread joy. Like everything has its shadow, comedy stood out from the start with its proudly unconscious (sometimes deliberately) sexism. It’s like casually bracketing people like a few men having sex with another man and then logging out saying, “I’m straight, don’t get me wrong.” Or that they are not sexist and that it was JUST A Joke!

Today we see an aggressive model in many men on social media and outside. The Lucknow incident of a woman harassing a taxi driver or another case where a woman allegedly physically assaulted a Zomato delivery boy are some recent observations showing why men share their aggressive distress. Indeed, we see and do not condone the actions of such women. The question is, are you familiar with the over-generalization and hijacking of feminist and queer movements here? We ignore to see the internal disorder of forced resistance, subversion and transgression of existing diversity.

We all know that feminist movements, LGBTQIA movements, and advocacy against sexism have not been openly welcomed into the mainstream space of men and their supporters. It is disheartening to see many pseudo-feminist and aggressive and competitive men maneuvering it to cripple hundreds of years of struggle for gender equality. I am exposed to femininity’s daily sexist jokes on mass spaces and counter them individually. This discrimination is deeply rooted in various gender lines. Ignorance of sexist jokes should be seen with acceptance of diversity. Not a sympathetic acceptance of pity, the genuine acceptance of choosing inclusiveness and making the world a safe space for all. In a world full of misunderstandings about equality theory and feminism, safe space has been a fiction. Many female voices (regardless of gender) risk labels, ignorance and aggression to challenge the sexist narrative.

So don’t assume that my silence or my argument to your sexist joke makes me humorless! Sir, I am humorous. You amuse me with your storytelling and rationale, which fails to include unleashing thousands of years of oppression on women, the LGBTQIA + community, and gender and gender bias. You make me happy with your involuntary sexist joke that perceives you as more manly. My silence is the loudest laugh at your insecurity of my emancipation as a feminine energy. Sorry to know you feel less masculine without challenging me every day in every space. I want you to know, your sexist humor doesn’t mean anything to us. It’s a joke about your insensitivity.

(The author is a performer, poet, and feminist activist who has left a mark with her art, poetry, LGBTQIA + lectures, and feminist ideologies. This column will share untold stories of inclusiveness and diversity.)