Why do people laugh about jokes aimed at their own race?

Question

I have loads of aboriginal friends who laugh and make jokes about themselves and constantly feed the bad representations made by other people about their race. We were sitting in class the other day and i asked her for her book and she said, jokingly, 'i don't have books, I'm black.' She laughed and so did everyone else. But seriously, i don't think thats funny. By doing this and making jokes about herself and her race, it sends a message to everyone else thats its ok to say these kinds of things. People need to wake up and realise the kind of long term effects its going to cause in the future.

Answer 1

You have to laugh at yourself sometimes. I know many Puerto-Ricans who joke about us having a whole bunch of kids, or even black people joking about their love of fried chicken, etc. If you grew up in that culture, it's easy to understand and laugh at the stereotypes. I'm sure she wasn't serious, just joking around.  

Answer 2

I agree with what you're saying. Sometimes I laugh (depending on the joke) because it can be the harsh truth sometimes about my own race.  

Answer 3

Because it lightens the mood.

They know it's not true, so it's pointing out that it's not.

Answer 4

Because you have to be able to laugh at yourself. If you took yourself and race too seriously you would end up being very grumpy and sad. You shouldn't make jokes about other races though.  

Answer 5

I do that because I really find them funny. I don't take racist things to the heart.

Answer 6

Cause it's racist to laugh at jokes of any other...

Answer 7

it is good to be capable of laughing at oneself. i think in that particular case about the book, that she was making a point. it was her way of  making a point that racial people think like that. she made her point with humor instead of hatred.  a good thing.

Answer 8

because they are funny, and if its their own race it doesnt bother them. besides some are true and we know it so we laugh about it.

Answer 9

You laugh because of the stereotype being so rediculous. For example, when my family gets together we all joke about the moonshine we make in our bathtubs. It's not true but since my family is filled with rednecks it is a funny stereotype ...