MEME anyone?

[Darth Logos]

Okay. Serious question for the group. Is this meme:

1) Funny
2) Offensive to millennials
3) Offensive to people with red hair
4) All of the above
5) None of the above

Yes

[Bob Loblaw]

[CruentoNox]

See, the way I saw it, it was making fun of the whole millennial concept, as well as portraying a redhead in a positive light. However, when I posted it to a geek/cosplay group on facebook I had loads of people complain that it was offensive to millenials (someone even posted a link to an article about the bullying of millenials in the media), and one guy with red hair equated the term "ginger" with racism. I was amazed at how something clearly meant as a  joke could illicit so much "controversy".

I think that unfortunately those who feel (or want to feel) persecuted will always find a way to find something offensive even when it clearly wasn't meant to be. I suppose some people have used the term "ginger" too often in an offensive way and therefore the word has become offensive to those who suffered from such comments. I personally tend to look at what intention I feel coming from the comment rather than the exact words used. Correcting the word to let people know it's not understood in a positive way can be a constructive comment but it's probably better not to snap at someone who obviously meant no harm. Being a straight white european man with brown hair and brown eyes, almost underweight, of average height and raised as a Christian in a western country while not being very religious myself I'm not always able to pick the right words because I don't know how it will be understood by everyone else. While I've suffered from some mean comments in my life they were never really aimed at my race, nationality, hair color, sexual orientation, religion or anything like that.

If I said something like "I know a ginger. He's an awesome guy!", I would understand if someone pointed out they'd rather not be called "ginger" but I would be surprised if they snapped at me for being racist against people with red hair as the sentence clearly isn't meant to be degrading for these people. I would rather that person told me "It's great that you want to share that you appreciate a guy with red hair but you probably should say 'a guy with red hair' because 'ginger' is sometimes considered offensive". That way I would learn how to refer to red hair without being offensive while not feeling like I've been branded as racist just for using a word I didn't know was not okay.

I agree that it seems like these days it's hard to make a joke without raising controversy. I also understood this text as a joke showing a person with red hair in a positive light while making fun of how important the fancy coffee drinks have become to some people (I may love my Caramel Macchiato with Cinnamon but I can live without it  )

[Darth Knox]

I think that unfortunately those who feel (or want to feel) persecuted will always find a way to find something offensive even when it clearly wasn't meant to be. I suppose some people have used the term "ginger" too often in an offensive way and therefore the word has become offensive to those who suffered from such comments. I personally tend to look at what intention I feel coming from the comment rather than the exact words used. Correcting the word to let people know it's not understood in a positive way can be a constructive comment but it's probably better not to snap at someone who obviously meant no harm. Being a straight white european man with brown hair and brown eyes, almost underweight, of average height and raised as a Christian in a western country while not being very religious myself I'm not always able to pick the right words because I don't know how it will be understood by everyone else. While I've suffered from some mean comments in my life they were never really aimed at my race, nationality, hair color, sexual orientation, religion or anything like that.

If I said something like "I know a ginger. He's an awesome guy!", I would understand if someone pointed out they'd rather not be called "ginger" but I would be surprised if they snapped at me for being racist against people with red hair as the sentence clearly isn't meant to be degrading for these people. I would rather that person told me "It's great that you want to share that you appreciate a guy with red hair but you probably should say 'a guy with red hair' because 'ginger' is sometimes considered offensive". That way I would learn how to refer to red hair without being offensive while not feeling like I've been branded as racist just for using a word I didn't know was not okay.

I agree that it seems like these days it's hard to make a joke without raising controversy. I also understood this text as a joke showing a person with red hair in a positive light while making fun of how important the fancy coffee drinks have become to some people (I may love my Caramel Macchiato with Cinnamon but I can live without it  )

As a black guy born and raised in the UK to parents who are from the West Indies, I think I know a little bit about racism (unfortunately). Racism is different from "gingerism". Redheads have not suffered centuries of systematic abuse ranging from slavery to institutional racism. Abuse of redheads is usually personal and does not, for example, affect their life or job prospects (beyond reminding them of emotional teasing received as a child). It does appear that the teasing of redheads past childhood and into adulthood is a uniquely UK thing. But, I would say a person who is a redhead can't freak out anytime the word "ginger" is brought up or mentioned anywhere, especially as it's not even directed at them personally.

[KaiserSosay]

This is offensive... to people with a name starting with a "W".
Hee-Hee!

Hopefully very soon, outrage culture will join mullets on the junk pile of history.  Laughter is what we all have in common.  Whatever makes you laugh is important.  Whatever offends you is your problem! Look for the good not the bad. Seems pretty simple to me.

Using x instead of w, I'm a "drunk squealing cowboy". This chart is black magic! How could it know? I've been using method acting for weeks now to prepare!

[Darth Knox]

This is offensive... to people with a name starting with a "W".
Hee-Hee!

Hopefully very soon, outrage culture will join mullets on the junk pile of history.  Laughter is what we all have in common.  Whatever makes you laugh is important.  Whatever offends you is your problem! Look for the good not the bad. Seems pretty simple to me.

I agree with all of this. Have a point.

Using x instead of w, I'm a "drunk squealing cowboy". This chart is black magic! How could it know? I've been using method acting for weeks now to prepare!

Apparently, I have to be a Flirty Farting Pumpkin. But, that's so 2012!

[Taegin Roan]

This is offensive... to people with a name starting with a "W".

This is exactly what I was thinking. As it stands I would be a Clammy Horse.

[CruentoNox]

As a black guy born and raised in the UK to parents who are from the West Indies, I think I know a little bit about racism (unfortunately). Racism is different from "gingerism". Redheads have not suffered centuries of systematic abuse ranging from slavery to institutional racism. Abuse of redheads is usually personal and does not, for example, affect their life or job prospects (beyond reminding them of emotional teasing received as a child). It does appear that the teasing of redheads past childhood and into adulthood is a uniquely UK thing. But, I would say a person who is a redhead can't freak out anytime the word "ginger" is brought up or mentioned anywhere, especially as it's not even directed at them personally.

I think the Shy Squealing Nurse would be a bit too out of character for me   I usually go for something a little darker.

I'm sorry about your experience with racism.
I understand your point about racism and "gingerism". I believe there was systematic abuse in Europe towards redheads at some point in history. Growing up in Switzerland I can remember some redheads being teased and occasionally really insulted as a child but in my adult life (I'm 31) I can only think of one instance of hearing someone being obviously biased against redheads. I can't really relate to their suffering because I only have red hair mixed in with my usual brown in my beard. As this isn't obvious to someone looking at me from a distance or not paying a lot of attention (plus the fact that this only became visible in my late teenage years) I've never had any offensive comments made about it. Not that I would care these days. As an adult having never being systematically targeted about it I'm not even a little touchy on this subject.

[Darth Logos]

Apparently, I have to be a Flirty Farting Pumpkin. But, that's so 2012!

You're Farting too? Must've been the bean burritos.

Inappropriate Farting White Walker

[Darth Knox]

You're Farting too? Must've been the bean burritos.

You mean baked beans (we don't have burritos over here really).

[Darth Logos]

You mean baked beans (we don't have burritos over here really).

Meh. Beans is beans.

[Cyclops942]

You mean baked beans (we don't have burritos over here really).

That's sad... a burrito is a good sandwich for eating in the car (or on public transit, I suppose), because it's less likely to explode in a crumbling mess.

[Darth Knox]

[Darth Logos]

On my butt

[Taegin Roan]

Currently, I'm not sitting. Plus, I'd be running back and forth between tables 1, 2, 3, and 4 (mostly 2, 3, and 4).