Sarcasm hurts.

[poltr1]

Yesterday at church, during Joys and Sorrows, I mentioned the plane crash in Poland, and offered my prayers. I also mentioned that I was part Polish, and this incident affects me personally. After services, a man in the congregation that I know -- let's call him Joe -- came up to me and said, "You're Polish? That's too bad." He later said he was teasing. But that didn't take the sting out of his previous words. To add insult to injury, Joe commented on my ability to read, after he saw me looking at the bulletin board.

I should be thick-skinned enough to forget about these incidents. But I'm not.

In our church, we believe in the dignity and worth of every person. This incident shows that there are still people out there who don't live this ideal.

Sarcasm hurts. It's like being hit in the side with a padded sword. It may not draw blood, but it leaves a welt.

Why do people engage in such disprectful behavior? It's like seeing someone and calling out, "Hey shithead! How's it going?" What do people get out of it? Or are they wounded enough to lash out at everyone they see, or some people in particular?

At least my cats don't say things like that to me.

Comments

[bikergeek.livejournal.com]

That's not sarcasm, it's bigoted ethnic humor of the lowest order. People do it because some people are shitheads.

Wow. What an asshole. Polish jokes? What is this, the 1950s? The "Ha, ha, only kidding" doesn't make it any more acceptable either.

[zorya-thinks.livejournal.com]

Speaking as a person who grew up with the last name of "Sienkiewicz" I find ethnic jokes quite offensive. I think Joe would have received the wrath of Lucy.

[(Anonymous)]

I agree that was a racist ethnic joke, meaning he's a bigot. Sadly there are those who were raised that way, and others who allow themselves to become that way. They attempt to be a cancer on the souls of people who are better evolved than that. I'm sorry you were hurt by him. but please try and take a higher road and let it go, don't let his ignorance score a victory over you.


BTW I have joined you in your prayers.

[ocean-star.livejournal.com]

This is one of many reasons that I left the UU church in Yellow Springs. It was rife with ignorance and hypocrisy. I'm really sorry this happened to you Jim. It's inexcusable.

[doctorvell.livejournal.com]

In my opinion, no one should joke about someone's nationality or their ethnicity regardless. If you know someone very well and you do a tease that you know they'll accept it is one thing, but race, ethnicity, religion, and/or other beliefs should NEVER be touched.

That wasn't very funny and he should have never stated that phrase. Especially where he said it, VERY MUCH UNCALLED FOR!

[iolanthe95.livejournal.com]

I always felt so bad when a polish person I knew was subjected to this kind of "humor". People don't seem to realize they are not the first and only people ever to think of their "clever" jibes. During that time of year, people love to sing a certain Christmas carol to me for instance. ::sigh::