More

Featuring fresh takes and real-time analysis from HuffPost's signature lineup of contributors
Ruth Eglash

GET UPDATES FROM Ruth Eglash
 

Taking the Humor Out of the "Shit People Say... "

Posted: 02/16/2012 10:20 am

It is true that every fad has a natural life span and, of course, in this day and age the shelf life of a joke is even shorter than it used to be. However, what is really "shit" is when certain people purposely destroy the humor, twisting it in such a sick way that their overall message falls totally flat.

Over the last few months, a spate of video clips entitled "Shit Girls Say," featuring Hollywood actress Juliette Lewis, have gently poked fun at the stupid things people say and do.

At first the phenomenon, which even has its own YouTube channel and Twitter feed (@shitgirlssay) highlighted dumb comments young girls make to their friends and about the world at large.

The hilarious concept quickly went viral with people making their own spoofs and posting them on YouTube.

Some clips were funnier than others -- Shit White Girls Say to Arab Girls or Shit Girls Say to Gay Guys -- but all were a light-hearted commentary on the stereotypes we harbor and how we often treat each other. It's fun, funny and, in a positive way, might even make a person think twice about how they view the world and the other people in it.

What has also been brilliant about these series of viral videos is that different ethnic, religious and cultural groups have found a place to poke fun at themselves, showing that almost everyone, at least on some level, can find their humorous, approachable side: check out comedian Amer Zahr's Shit Palestinians Say or Shit Indian Girls Say.

I say almost, however because sadly there are always a few people that say really shitty things. Ironically, in this case, it is those who claim to be "rights activists" fighting for a humanitarian cause.

Shit Zionists Say, (does not deserve a link) is a clip made by a group calling itself "Existence is Resistance." Disturbingly, they have turned a creative and entertaining genre into a very unfunny and failed attempt to make an extreme political point about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Their video does not feature one single Zionist, but a stream of anti-Zionist individuals expounding deep hatred in sick and very unconstructive way.

While the video is highly offensive, it also does nothing to promote the very real and serious need for Israelis to recognize the rights of Palestinian people as human beings and the need for everyone in the region to work towards peace.

Sadly, this group has not only discredited the cause it supposedly supports but it has also destroyed the spirit of this light-hearted and humorous genre, possibly bringing this fun fad to an abrupt end.

 

Follow Ruth Eglash on Twitter: www.twitter.com/reglash

It is true that every fad has a natural life span and, of course, in this day and age the shelf life of a joke is even shorter than it used to be. However, what is really "shit" is when certain people...
It is true that every fad has a natural life span and, of course, in this day and age the shelf life of a joke is even shorter than it used to be. However, what is really "shit" is when certain people...
 
 
  • Comments
  • 23
  • Pending Comments
  • 0
  • View FAQ
Comments are closed for this entry
View All
Favorites
Recency  | 
Popularity
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Galilee
I boycott products from Syria & Gaza dictatorships
05:35 AM on 02/22/2012
In 1970 Palestinians tried to take over Jordan and kill the king.
So the video is correct about that.
The video should be called "Truths that Pro-Jihadists are upset by".

BTW, The Jordanian king executed 20,000 Palestinians for the attempt to make Jordan into "Palestine"
05:21 PM on 02/21/2012
i think we can all agree this meme has run its course. time for an intervention - http://FunnyOrDie.com/m/6l5e
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
Nwo2012
Sue me, I boycott products from the settlements
06:51 PM on 02/18/2012
The video is excellent. You should have linked to it.
photo
nigelparry
Independent journalist
01:19 PM on 02/17/2012
It was funny when everyone else was the target of humor. but when you became the target, it wasn't just not funny to you, verily it "destroyed the spirit of this light-hearted and humorous genre, possibly bringing this fun fad to an abrupt end". Precious.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
Nwo2012
Sue me, I boycott products from the settlements
06:47 PM on 02/18/2012
I think this is great. It just drives people to the video who otherwise wouldn't have seen it. I wasn't aware of it till this piece.

It was a nice touch leaving the link out of the article.
01:15 PM on 02/17/2012
This article and much of the commentary proves the point of the video and the fanatical gatekeeping lengths Israel-firsters will go to change the question. The attention alone proves the strength of the movement to dismantle Israel
12:02 PM on 02/17/2012
here is the link, its actually a good video and pretty funny if your not a uptight a hole

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyXD_Kq3q4U&feature=player_embedded
07:54 PM on 02/16/2012
Thank you for this article, you are absolutely correct, but thankfully it won't ruin the series. It's disturbing the hatred filled in so many people who hate peace...
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
Nwo2012
Sue me, I boycott products from the settlements
12:37 AM on 02/17/2012
Do you need a hug?
01:57 PM on 02/17/2012
I long for the day when the Palestinian leadership is ready to hug their Israeli counterparts as equals and be serious about achieving a resolution and end to the conflict through direct and serious negotiations.
jhNY
Mercy.
12:58 PM on 02/16/2012
The view is is always looking up on Molehill Mountain.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
Nwo2012
Sue me, I boycott products from the settlements
11:28 AM on 02/16/2012
Its not a failed attempt to make a point about the Palestine / israeli conflict. Youre here talking about it.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Gui Montag
Former Palestinian Supporter
11:11 AM on 02/16/2012
It basically tells you everything you need to know about the Israel haters. They bring nothing to the table except hate, propaganda, and insults toward anyone who disagrees with them. No wonder they never manage to get anywhere.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
Nwo2012
Sue me, I boycott products from the settlements
05:28 PM on 02/16/2012
Stop whining
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Gui Montag
Former Palestinian Supporter
09:05 AM on 02/17/2012
Thanks for proving my point.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
Nwo2012
Sue me, I boycott products from the settlements
07:26 PM on 02/16/2012
Are you being ironic?
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
07:51 PM on 02/16/2012
Factual
10:50 AM on 02/16/2012
you know that a fad has run its course when everyone comes up with a video. yes it is funny at first but then it tends to get boring later. in a way it's good that someone sets the trend but when u keep seeing the same thing over and over again you just get tired of it.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
Nwo2012
Sue me, I boycott products from the settlements
10:38 AM on 02/16/2012
Don't critique a video without posting a link to it. Here you go.

http://mondoweiss.net/2012/02/shit-zionists-say.html

How hard was that.

I've heard Zionists say all these things right here on these threads. What are you complaining about exactly? Zionists aren't funny? It makes them look bad? I'll tell you what, spend a few hours on here sometimes and see the grotesque language spouted by Zionists in defense of every crime imaginable committed by the State of israel.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
06:52 PM on 02/16/2012
lol
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
Nwo2012
Sue me, I boycott products from the settlements
12:38 AM on 02/17/2012
roflmao
10:31 AM on 02/16/2012
Sadly, this group has not only discredited the cause it supposedly supports but it has also destroyed the spirit of this light-hearted and humorous genre, possibly bringing this fun fad to an abrupt end.
-------------------------------------
I would not attribute such fantastic superpowers to a bunch of humorless folk. Their work will fall away and the trend continue if it still has life in it.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Gui Montag
Former Palestinian Supporter
01:59 PM on 02/16/2012
The trend is dying too. They got in there late, as usual.