|
Offensive jokes in ethnic press
Dear Sir;
Sadly it has come to my attention that some of the ethnic newspapers are publishing jokes that are not tolerated by Canadian Society. I have talked to some editors and they claim that these kinds of jokes are acceptable in their country of origin. I tried to explain to them that in a multicultural country like Canada, where children are taught from an early age not to make fun of other ethnic groups, racial groups. and minorities, these jokes are not tolerated.
I tried to explain that since their newspapers are operating in Canada, they need to abide by Canadian values and follow the ethical guides of the Canadian press, whether they are ethnic newspapers or not. Some editors believe that because the jokes are printed in a language that the Canadian public at large does not understand, no one is being offended and it is okay to print jokes where punch lines are based on the false assumptions that Jewish people are miserly, that Roma people are thieves and liars, and that Africans are simple and uncultured.
Perhaps you could send a "reminder" to all the editors of ethnic newspapers in Canada, informing them that racist jokes and ethnic stereotyping are not acceptable and the publishing of racist jokes could lead to legal action.
Thank you reading my concern.
Hoping you can do something about it,
Stephen Reistetter |
