Diversity and Inclusion Matters

Chapter 9DE&I Challenges That No One Tells You

Whose Mother Are We Talking About?

I work in the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) space, so I often get asked: “Are people too sensitive? It seems like you can't say anything anymore without offending someone! Everything is so politically correct.”

My response is, “It depends on whose mother we are talking about. If the joke is about my mom, then I am never too sensitive. But if we're talking about your mother, you may be too sensitive.”

The response might be something like, “I think you should lighten up. Jokes about your mother are really funny. I don't think people mean anything by making fun of your mother. Come on, we laugh about your mother all the time. I remember back in the good old days we could say whatever we wanted about your mother. What happened? Where's your sense of humor?”

The next time you think someone is being too sensitive, take the joke or comment and turn it around so that it's about your mother, your three-year-old daughter, your six-year-old nephew, or someone else who is special to you. Would you feel bad hearing this said about that person? If so, then maybe you can see their point. Maybe they are not just being too sensitive.

JASON-ISM

Whose mother are we talking about? I agree we have become way too sensitive because the jokes about your mom are really funny.

I like jokes. I like watching stand-up comedians and satire as much as anyone, and I have laughed at racist and homophobic jokes. ...