Clint Eastwood on political correctness

[Preston_79]

Clint Eastwood goes gunning for PC killjoys by saying we should laugh at race-based jokes

By Allan Hall
Last updated at 1:16 AM on 26th February 2009



Clint Eastwood, who is promoting his new film Gran Torino, says political correctness has gone too far

Clint Eastwood believes the rise of political correctness is no laughing matter.

He says the world would be a better place if we could still laugh at inoffensive jokes about different races.

The Hollywood actor and director, 78, said we live in constant fear of being labelled racist for simply laughing about national stereotypes.

'People have lost their sense of humor,' he told Germany's Der Spiegel magazine.

'In former times we constantly made jokes about different races.

'You can only tell them today with one hand over your mouth otherwise you will be insulted as a racist.

'I find that ridiculous. In those earlier days every friendly clique had a "Sam the Jew" or "Jose the Mexican" - but we didn't think anything of it or have a racist
thought.

'It was normal that we made jokes based on our nationality or ethnicity. That was never a problem.

''I don't want to be politically correct. We're all spending too much time and energy trying to be politically correct about everything.'

His comments come in a week in which BT suspended 30 call center staff after they had circulated an Irish joke by email.

BT, however, insists other serious matters were involved and that a joke was not the sole reason for the suspensions.


Bravo Clint. Kids are being raised to be too PC these days, and it's pathetic. It's time people stopped getting so butt hurt every time someone offends them.

[Bourne101]

And again, Eastwood is right on the money.

[Reigh Kaufman]

I despise racists and bigots, but I recognize, even in myself, that human beings have a mob mentality and are very fucking territorial. This is why I openly disapprove of, and speak out against, malicious racism/bigotry, but privately appreciate a well-timed, satirical side-swipe at ANYONE. This is why I laughed hardest at Renton's 'Shite Being Scottish' speech in Trainspotting and why I find Sarah Silverman to be funny...

Malicious remarks (especially those intended to cause offence) are for wankers. Non-PC jokes without any malicious intent are fucking funny...

Eastwoood - right. The guy hasn't been wrong since 'Paint Your Wagon'.

Though Sandra Locke may disagree.

[gayzilla]

the key phrase is

He says the world would be a better place if we could still laugh at inoffensive jokes about different races.


Mostly I agree, the only problem is it's a fine line that some people lack the ability to recognize. Stereotypes exist for a reason, and that's mainly because they are true to some degree. I remember when I first moved to NY I was sittin at home petting my poodle and listening to Madonna wondering if I should paint my walls deep purple or a forest green to match my new chintz futon and thinking, "Christ, when did I become a fucking steroetype."

But I don't think it means that we should go back to using certain hate-speech words like the N word F-g etc... That's not about being PC, it's just about not being a royal ass scumbucket.

[Reigh Kaufman]

[QUOTE=gayzilla;2988043]

I remember when I first moved to NY I was sittin at home petting my poodle and listening to Madonna wondering if I should paint my walls deep purple or a forest green to match my new chintz futon and thinking, "Christ, when did I become a fucking steroetype."

QUOTE]


You're so flitty....

I love you.:D

[Vong]

"There is no such thing as bad words, only bad intentions" - Kevin Smith

Much to the same, jokes are not racist if they are light hearted and mean to be funny and not made with the intent to insult or harm.

I agree with Mr. Eastwood to an extent; people do need to lighten up. But at the same time, people need to be respectful and empathetic towards those who could take offense. With all due respect to Mr. Eastwood, anyone who believes they can say whatever the hell they want to whomever they please is on their way to becoming a total douchebag...

[shoe1985]

I agree with most of what Clint said. The problem is that you could put a bunch of white men in a room and call them rednecks. Most probably could care less, but you will always find that select few that would get angry.

Racism will always exist. You can try and prevent it, but you will always find that one racist person out there to cause problems. With illegal immigration becoming a big topic these last few years, I have heard so many remarks about Mexicans.

We really need to step back and just laugh sometimes.

[Cop No. 633]

This is a double edged sword. On the one hand, it is fine to make fun of anybody if the joke is good. Obviously, that's up to debate, but jokes based solely on stereotypes aren't really that funny. They lack imagination and wit, and often times come off as jabs.

I'm of the opinion that if you can say the joke in front of the people who are the target of it and you're comfortable, then go for it.

[Pentangeli]

There's nothing wrong with calling your mates every name under the sun, all in good humour. But of course there is the golden rule: if you can't take it, don't dish it out.

[gayzilla]

This is kinda related to the other thread on racism, but it's a bit ironic for Eastwood to be making such a statement as he has never been on the receiving end of such jokes.

Ofcourse it's always funnier when your making fun of someone else.


and thanks Reigh, ditto ;)

[Preston_79]

This is kinda related to the other thread on racism, but it's a bit ironic for Eastwood to be making such a statement as he has never been on the receiving end of such jokes.

Ofcourse it's always funnier when your making fun of someone else.


How would you know what jokes Clint Eastwood has been on the receiving end of for the last, what, 79 years? Come on.

[gayzilla]

How would you know what jokes Clint Eastwood has been on the receiving end of for the last, what, 79 years? Come on.

I'm pretty sure he hasn't been on the receiving end of a politically incorrect racist joke, (like the type he's talking about) Come on.

[Cop No. 633]

I'm pretty sure he hasn't been on the receiving end of a politically incorrect racist joke, (like the type he's talking about) Come on.

Come on, man, how do we know he wasn't made fun of by Sergio Leone and his crew while making the Dollars trilogy? How do we know those spaghetti loving hand gesturing WOP bastards didn't insult Eastwood on a number of occasions?

[The Postmaster General]

What the fuck is Clint Eastwood talking about? Am I supposed to have a Jewish friend named Sam and a Mexican friend named Jose? This guy doesn't make any fucking sense.

[The Postmaster General]

No, seriously: Sam the Jew and Jose the Mexican. Really, Clint? Really?

Oh, what he probably meant to say was:

Yeah, every group had a black guy who hung around. And we used to be able to say the N-word every chance we got, and if the black guy had a problem with it, he'd keep his mouth shut. Now that same black guy wants a fucking apology. This political correctness has gotten out of hand.

[gayzilla]

Come on, man, how do we know he wasn't made fun of by Sergio Leone and his crew while making the Dollars trilogy? How do we know those spaghetti loving hand gesturing WOP bastards didn't insult Eastwood on a number of occasions?

Well if it's different if it's from a Dago Wop Bastard, those damn guineas are tough. But i bet he gets a lot of Old guy jokes now, so atleast it balances it out some.

But your point directly above is pretty spot on Bubba

[Preston_79]

I'm pretty sure he hasn't been on the receiving end of a politically incorrect racist joke, (like the type he's talking about) Come on.
Well I'd have to agree with that because.... he's not Mexican or Jewish. I wonder if he's ever heard a Pollock joke?

Are straight white male from the United States ever discriminated against? No never.

[Preston_79]

No, seriously: Sam the Jew and Jose the Mexican. Really, Clint? Really?

Oh, what he probably meant to say was:

Yeah, every group had a black guy who hung around. And we used to be able to say the N-word every chance we got, and if the black guy had a problem with it, he'd keep his mouth shut. Now that same black guy wants a fucking apology. This political correctness has gotten out of hand.


You think he would like to call black people niggers based on those statements? You think Clint would file the word nigger under inoffensive jokes? Did Spike Lee highjack you identity?

[The Postmaster General]

You think he would like to call black people niggers based on those statements? You think Clint would file the word nigger under inoffensive jokes? Did Spike Lee highjack you identity?

Haha. You tell him, Preston! Booyah!

Oh wait, that was me.

No, Preston - I think Eastwood commentating on the climate of political correctness in the world based on the notion that he can't call his friends Sam the Jew and Jose the Mexican is the most fucking absurd thing I've ever heard. You really think, based on the entirety of my comments and the obvious thought process in my postings, that my point was that Eastwood is a racist? Did Flannery the Acid Cripple hijiack your identity?

[Preston_79]

Haha. You tell him, Preston! Booyah!

Oh wait, that was me.

No, Preston - I think Eastwood commentating on the climate of political correctness in the world based on the notion that he can't call his friends Sam the Jew and Jose the Mexican is the most fucking absurd thing I've ever heard. You really think, based on the entirety of my comments and the obvious thought process in my postings, that my point was that Eastwood is a racist? Did Flannery the Acid Cripple hijiack your identity?

Why's it absurd? He speaks the truth. He's not presenting a thesis, just giving an interview, talking off the cuff. He's still right.

[The Postmaster General]

Just to make sure we are on the same page here:

He's complaining that he can't give his friends nicknames that identify their ethnicity, right?

[gayzilla]

You think he would like to call black people niggers based on those statements? You think Clint would file the word nigger under inoffensive jokes? Did Spike Lee highjack you identity?

You like to use those words. Does it make you feel powerful? Superior? Does it give you a little stiffy? Do you have any idea what they really mean and why they are offensive. Do you have any idea of the incredibly negative image it presents of the people who let them slip so freely off their tongue?

[Brando @$$ Fat]

Gran Turino was a racially obsessed movie. I mean, race was always the topic of conversation in every single piece of dialogue. It would be hellishly annoying if everyone talked like that all the time. Going up to your barber and calling him a dago son of a bitch...ugh. People who are never PC are just as annoying as people who are always PC.

[Preston_79]

You like to use those words. Does it make you feel powerful? Superior? Does it give you a little stiffy? Do you have any idea what they really mean and why they are offensive. Do you have any idea of the incredibly negative image it presents of the people who let them slip so freely off their tongue?

Considering the context in which I used the word, maybe you should explain yourself. I thought I was having this discussion with adults.

Do tell why using the word nigger as did would make me feel powerful, superior, or give me a stiffy.

When you're done worrying about what I type and how my penis reacts to it you can focus on the topic of the thread. Or maybe you're done with this thread. Let's smoke some pot and dye the poodle pink.

[gayzilla]

Yeah, sorry maybe that was a bit rude. I much rather smoke a piece pipe full O the good stuff. and I'm all against censorship and all, but there are certain words I just don't like seeing under any context. I love bad language and all, there are just a few certain words that throw me into offense and that was one of them.

my Rudeness aside though, I do mean the question somewhat seriously. I don't even like reading those words, it just amazes me when I see other people use them so casually.

[Homyrrh]

Holy crap...Ol' Clint's just saying PC's going a bit too far. No one's calling anyone a nigger or a honkey, but Indians still drive me in theirs cabs, Mexicans mow my lawn, gays make Oprah look pretty and Jews run the diamond district very well...but complain while doing so. If any of us are going to watch and laugh at Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock and/or Katt Williams, really...

[The Postmaster General]

Holy crap...Ol' Clint's just saying PC's going a bit too far. No one's calling anyone a nigger or a honkey, but Indians still drive me in theirs cabs, Mexicans mow my lawn, gays make Oprah look pretty and Jews run the diamond district very well...but complain while doing so. If any of us are going to watch and laugh at Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock and/or Katt Williams, really...


It's not the same thing. Those guys are making jokes, and Eastwood is trying to sell some alternate version of reality where he can't give his friends nicknames based on their ethnicity. Going on an anti-PC tirade is one thing, but Clint sounds ridiculous. I kind of get the feeling that he's trying to be PC with his anti-PC tirade, which is why I initially brought up that it sounds like he meant to say something harsher. When the fuck in the history of being PC has what Clint was talking about ever come up?

[Preston_79]

I kind of get the feeling that he's trying to be PC with his anti-PC tirade, which is why I initially brought up that it sounds like he meant to say something harsher.

Something along these lines right?

Yeah, every group had a black guy who hung around. And we used to be able to say the N-word every chance we got, and if the black guy had a problem with it, he'd keep his mouth shut. Now that same black guy wants a fucking apology. This political correctness has gotten out of hand.

Those were your words.

You really think, based on the entirety of my comments and the obvious thought process in my postings, that my point was that Eastwood is a racist?

There's nothing obvious about your process here. You're not implying he's a racist, but you think the above is what he really meant to say.

[The Heart Collector]

Whenever someone says "politically incorrect", what they actually mean is "what I am unaware is morally incorrect".

[free]

The difference between a large pizza and a:

Jew: The pizza doesn't scream when you put it in the oven.

Black man: A large pizza can actually feed a family of four.

Boy, I sure am glad Clint said that was okay so I don't have to feel bad. :D

[Brando @$$ Fat]

White man: a pizza has good taste.