The humor here is supposed to be in the manipulated context. If you don't think it's funny, that's fine. But if you would like to see where the humor is intended to lie, you can think of it as exposing Snooki for saying something rude about gay people by placing her words in a context where we would normally be less likely to hear/see them.
I actually think that there are several ways to read this cartoon, which is why it's my favorite of the ones I've posted. To folks who would suggest that this is a joke at the expense of gay people, I would ask if you are bringing a homophobic reading to the table here. Could this also be an innocent coming out story, wherein someone identifies as gay but doesn't have the imagination to figure out how that will play out in a heterosexist society?
I think that's an important point, Louie. The reader's knee-jerk reaction to this premise DOES act as a paring knife for cultural norms and how those are perpetuated. To be fair, though, the context onto which YOU have placed Snooki's gems involves a phallic symbol bigger than at least one of the characters. Just sayin.
(I expect to be schooled in your response to this post. I am terrified.)
Yes, the phallic symbol is an important component to one potential reading. The question at the end of my post shouldn't be interpreted as "THE" way someone should read this cartoon.
Another important component to the reading you are suggesting is the fact that the phallic symbol IS a ruler (ie, gay guys are so obsessed with penis size that they suggest that they need a yardstick for measurement). Again, these readings are supposed to be complicated by asking why our mind goes certain places.
I was surprised by the "gay guys are so obsessed with penis size" comment mostly because I guess I understand size to be a stereotypical value ACROSS the board-which-is-obviously-probably-a-western-board-or-sponsored-by-the-pornography-industry-board-or-post-Kinsey-sexually-saturated-already-before-Kim-Cattrall-got-her-swanky-fingers-all-over-it-American-culture-board-or-something.
Also, not to belabor a point, but I love this post. It furthers the mission statement of Jersey Circus to challenge our readings of popular culture however it is manifested. Well done.
this is amazing.
ReplyDeleteJust plain not funny. Like a three year old saying "pee pee" and thinking it's hysterical, but only to the three year old.
ReplyDeletei don't see the humor here.
ReplyDeleteTo two of the of the Anonymous-es:
ReplyDeleteThe humor here is supposed to be in the manipulated context. If you don't think it's funny, that's fine. But if you would like to see where the humor is intended to lie, you can think of it as exposing Snooki for saying something rude about gay people by placing her words in a context where we would normally be less likely to hear/see them.
I actually think that there are several ways to read this cartoon, which is why it's my favorite of the ones I've posted. To folks who would suggest that this is a joke at the expense of gay people, I would ask if you are bringing a homophobic reading to the table here. Could this also be an innocent coming out story, wherein someone identifies as gay but doesn't have the imagination to figure out how that will play out in a heterosexist society?
I think that's an important point, Louie. The reader's knee-jerk reaction to this premise DOES act as a paring knife for cultural norms and how those are perpetuated. To be fair, though, the context onto which YOU have placed Snooki's gems involves a phallic symbol bigger than at least one of the characters. Just sayin.
ReplyDelete(I expect to be schooled in your response to this post. I am terrified.)
Internal dialogue!
ReplyDeleteYes, the phallic symbol is an important component to one potential reading. The question at the end of my post shouldn't be interpreted as "THE" way someone should read this cartoon.
Another important component to the reading you are suggesting is the fact that the phallic symbol IS a ruler (ie, gay guys are so obsessed with penis size that they suggest that they need a yardstick for measurement). Again, these readings are supposed to be complicated by asking why our mind goes certain places.
I was surprised by the "gay guys are so obsessed with penis size" comment mostly because I guess I understand size to be a stereotypical value ACROSS the board-which-is-obviously-probably-a-western-board-or-sponsored-by-the-pornography-industry-board-or-post-Kinsey-sexually-saturated-already-before-Kim-Cattrall-got-her-swanky-fingers-all-over-it-American-culture-board-or-something.
ReplyDeleteAlso, not to belabor a point, but I love this post. It furthers the mission statement of Jersey Circus to challenge our readings of popular culture however it is manifested. Well done.
This gay guy loves it and wasn't remotely offended.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I'm glad I stopped to read the comments. My mind instantly "went there" and I didn't think twice about it.
ReplyDeleteAt first.