#CleanHumor Newsletter (10.09.19)
Humor is an important part of the human experience. Who doesn't like a good laugh? In fact, laughter has been found to help maintain a healthy heart by reducing stress hormones and increasing HDL, the "good" cholesterol.
Health aside, humor and jokes are still often rooted in sexism, racism, homophobia, and bigotry, to name a few. How often have we heard bits about women being whiny, easy, bossy, or any other combination of gender stereotypes?
#CleanHumor isn’t about omitting profanity (though it’s not a terrible idea to cut down on swearing). It’s a nod to the fact that dirty jokes are often those that contain sexism, racism, homophobia, bigotry…which simply are not funny. All too often, humor and jokes are drivers of ostracism, discrimination, and trivialization of women and minorities, and contribute to a toxic work environment and company culture that could drive those very women and minorities to leave the workplace altogether.
A derogatory joke may seem harmless, but it often has a lasting negative effect on others, including personal demotivation and demotion in the eyes of others. Laughter and fun should always be forces for good, and not weaponized to keep others down.
#CleanHumor reminds us to use humor to uplift people. Implementing this action on a daily basis will help dismantle the inherent beliefs and practices in our society that maintains gender disparities. Remember, beliefs and behaviors are maintained by the choice of words we use. Our belief systems lead to practices that are discriminatory in nature, which in turn, lead to long-term consequential disparities.
Culture only changes when we take a stand and tell those around us that sexism, racism, homophobia, and bigotry are never laughing matters. If you see something, say something - and spread the message about #CleanHumor.