Crossing the Line: A Handy Guide for The Humorously Uneducated

So if you haven't heard already from all the controversy and blogs that have sprung up over the past week concerning the actions (and respective consequences) of a sprightly Junior at Alta High School who apparently had a failed attempt at humor during one of the School's "Spirit Bowls", when he came to the assembly donning a white pillowcase mask, not unlike the types of masks that members of the infamously racist KKK are known for wearing.

Now, while it is debatable as to whether or not the kid INTENDED on physically resembling a member of an extremely hostile and famously dangerous hate group, and from what I personally know about the situation, could very well be the case, that is not the purpose of this here bloggy post. No, the PURPOSE of me writing this here article is not to delve into the reasons and motivations for these types of actions, but rather to try and EDUCATE these types of individuals, in a (somewhat vain) attempt to prevent future "jokes" of this offensive nature.  Now let's get on with it shall we?

How to Tell if Your Joke "Crosses the Line"

Right then!  Now, before you can determine whether or not a joke of yours crosses "the line", we must first take a look at the line itself! Which, as you can see, I've conveniently provided for you in this handy diagram!

Everything below the line is considered tasteful, or "within" the line of tastefulness.  However, with varying degrees of tastefullness.  The closer it is to the line, the less tasteful it is.  Contrary to this, is of course, everything ABOVE the line.  Once above the line, the closer it is to the line, the less distasteful.  And if you're not the type of person who can figure out double negatives, that means it's MORE tasteful, however this is not to be mistaken with BEING tasteful.

Now that we have our line, let's go over how you can tell if one of YOUR jokes crosses the line!


Step 1: Analyze your Joke.

Before you dare tell your ingenious joke to anyone, first go over it in your head.  Does it derail or profile anyone?  If so, is that someone part of a large group or community?  Has that large group of community been derailed and profiled in the past?  Would you tell this kind of joke to your grandmother?  Did you come up with it while watching Family Guy?
     If any of those are true, ask yourself if the joke could do without them.  Tasteless jokes usually are dependent on shock value rather than humor or wit.  If you find your joke is stale without the shock value, it may lie within the reaches of tasteless.

Step 2: Tell the Joke to Someone You Know.

Now that you've analyzed it and hopefully were able to conceptualize were it goes on that chart from earlier, it's time to test it out.  Make sure to pay close attention to their reaction and then go over it with them afterwards.

First of all, did they laugh?  If so, was it a "HaHa" or a "Hehe" or a "Bwahah!"? Did their laugh seem forced?  Did they, at any point, say: "This is Stupid."? Did he/she slap you across the face?  Did he/she use the phrase, "I'll see you in Court."? If so, your joke probably crosses the line.

Step 3: Use Common Sense

Now that you've both analyzed and tested your joke, it's time to turn your brain off for a second, and just use your common sense to determine what kind of joke you're telling. Do you find yourself using any racial slurs?  You crossed the line.  Do you find that you attempt to justify said slurs by using the famous Comedian Chris Rock as an example of slurs being made funny?  Are you Chris Rock?  No? You crossed the line.  After this rigorous process of using your mighty senses, you should arrive at the conclusion as to whether or not your joke "crosses the line".  If you're still confused, however, I suggest you look at the damn chart again.

Thanks for Reading Folks!