As a stand-up comedian, I have a good sense of humor and I'm damn certain that WayOutTV's Abortion Man video is not funny. It's sick. It's sad. It's on a site created by Damon Wayans. You know Damon Wayans? He had that lovely family oriented show called My Wife and Kids? Well now he has a site that embraces videos about attacking women and involuntarily killing their unborn kids. Classy.
I'd post the video here but I refuse to give it anymore face time. Salon.com described the hilarious sketch like this:
Basically, a young guy gets a call from his girlfriend, who reveals that she is pregnant. The guy mutters "Get rid of that shit," but then tells the young woman in question he's "enthused about the whole situation." He hangs up the phone, and, a la Superman, runs to the window and yells "Help!" Enter Abortion Man, who wears a T-shirt displaying a fetus with a line through it. Abortion Man comes to the rescue by accosting the young woman in question, saying "Ah-hah! I have you now, fiend!" and then punching her. In the belly. When she falls to the ground, he stomps on her. And a bloody fetus flies out, into the bushes.
The video is not even pro-choice or pro-life, it's just disappointing and gross.
I first heard of this horse sh*t thanks to good ol' Jezebel that shares this insight:
The video is not funny. The premise is not funny. It's seriously offensive and twisted, even as a fantasy. And it's not just some low-budget, no-name production: Michael Wayans, Damon's son, appears in the clip...It's impossible to fathom that any woman -- and most men -- would think this video is funny or even innocuous. There may be ways to poke fun at the panic of discovering an unintended, unplanned pregnancy, but depicting a man punching a woman in the uterus is unacceptable.
Agreed.
Look, I like dark humor. Humor I said. Not disrespectful, useless, garbage. I am so tired of sick hateful humor for the sake of being sick hateful humor. Abortion Man perpetuates a culture of cruel violence against women jokes. Rape jokes. Molestation jokes. Unless you have something smart to say on these topic I suggest shutting the f**k up! Why do ignorant people continue to produce lame shticks that degrade women? Do these morons have mothers? Sisters? Daughters?
How's this for a fact (courtesy of What About Our Daughters)
According to the CDC, black women have a maternal homicide risk about seven times that of white women. Black women ages 25-29 are about 11 times more likely as white women in that age group to be murdered while pregnant or in the year after childbirth. CBS News
Do your wife and kids know about this fun fact Mr. Wayans? I know everything is fair game in comedy, but sensitive subjects can be joked about in a responsible and intelligent way. That's where the talent comes into play. I have a rape joke in my act. I have an abortion joke in my act. I have a domestic violence joke in my act. And I hope I address them in a respectful and smart manner. My awesomely talented pal Jessica Delfino has one of the funniest rape bits I've ever heard. Why? Because it's clearly an intelligent, anti-violence against women statement. Check out the video on YouTube.
Now to me, that's smart, socially aware comedy.
I can only hope Abortion Man makes people realize that some jokes just aren't funny.
Originally posted on TakePart.com
Follow Giulia Rozzi on Twitter: www.twitter.com/giulia rozzi
This video deals with a real issue, which is why it draws strong reactions. The abuse and murder of pregnant women by the baby's father happens a lot more than the media reports. And while it would be irresponsible to say that all these women brought this on themselves, it would also be unwise to ignore their role in creating the "drama".
A large swath of women thinking they can trap men by getting pregnant actually happens, and thanks to unbalanced laws favoring women in these matters, the spectre of financial obligations for 20 years to a woman you might not be crazy about, a baby you didn't think you were ready for, almost no say in the matter, and the instant taking of offense to any honesty of how you really feel, all this adds up to these would -be (wouldn't if I could) fathers feeling...assaulted.
I personally don't condone assaulting expecting mothers, but neither would the numerous men who could relate to what ice cube said. "...not a baby by you, the neighborhood hussy...then i thought deep about giving up the money, what I need to do is kick the b!+
A large swath of women thinking they can trap men by getting pregnant actually happens, and thanks to unbalanced laws favoring women in these matters, the spectre of financial obligations for 20 years to a woman you might not be crazy about, a baby you didn't think you were ready for, almost no say in the matter, and the instant taking of offense to any honesty of how you really feel, all this adds up to these would -be (wouldn't if I could) fathers feeling...assaulted.
2 good points. Though the premise of the sketch sounds stupid/offensive, but two good points about a serious double standard.
I agree with this blogger when she says "everything fair game in comedy, but sensitive subjects can be joked about in a responsible and intelligent way." She is just saying she prefers to see a smarter sketch about this topic come from such a highly visible website, so what's the big angry fuss?
I really look forward to seeing OtayPanky's HBO comedy special.
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Let me help you out.
She says: "Unless you have something smart to say on these topic I suggest shutting the f**k up!"
That, my friend, is a censorious statement. Luckily, she's not the boss of anyone, so she can't put any teeth, fists or guns behind it.
I'm not going to tell HER to shut the fuck up - just like I won't tell the KKK to shut the fuck up. Let a thousand flowers bloom.
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Telling people to call the network and all of the sponsors and start a boycott or calling for the firing of all of the participants is censorship.
cleveyucks writes: Nowhere in this post did I see her advocating censoring the video.
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Let me help you out.
She says: "Unless you have something smart to say on these topic I suggest shutting the f**k up!"
That, my friend, is a censorious statement. Luckily, she's not the boss of anyone, so she can't put any teeth, fists or guns behind it.
I'm not going to tell HER to shut the fuck up - just like I won't tell the KKK to shut the fuck up. Let a thousand flowers bloom.
Now to me, that's smart, socially aware comedy.
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As a humor professional, explain to me, please, what was so smart and socially aware about the movie THE ARISTOCRATS?
If something's funny, it's funny. If it's not, it's not.
Let's keep the thought police out of the comedy clubs - and while we're at it, out of the bookstores, the movie houses, and the museums, too.
Irresponsible, unfunny humor comes with the territory of being a (flawed) democracy. The cost of censorship is not worth the price. People can vote with their wallets anytime they like.