I wrote a narrative about how HBO’s “The Gilded Age” was solely attracting an viewers over the age of 55.
I instantly acquired attacked on Twitter by an account referred to as @thischairrocks. An creator named Ashton Applewhite got here after me liking a Tweet that admonished me. (Hey– I used to be simply reporting the rankings.)
I believed, I do know that title. And I positive do. In 1985, once I was at Ballantine Books, Ashton Applewhite had an enormous paperback hit referred to as “Actually Tasteless Jokes.” It was such a bestseller that there was a second quantity, a calendar, and many different merchandise. The creator was “Blanche Knott”– get it? This was Applewhite’s pseudonym.
The books had been rubbish however they offered like loopy. They’re out of print now, however guess what? Applewhite, now an ageism activist and really PC, nonetheless sells them on Kindle. So I downloaded one.
And the guide has jokes with the “N” phrase. The truth is, one of many jokes not solely has the “N” phrase, it’s ageist!
I can’t reprint it even redacting “N” phrase as a result of the identical joke additionally has different language not permitted right here.
A whole lot of time has handed since 1985 so far as cultural attitudes. Even then these jokes weren’t acceptable. However nobody was canceled for telling them. The guide turned a seashore learn, successful at dinner events. Folks had been studying them aloud. Ballantine, a division of Random Home, was thrilled! My ex bosses (hey Claire Ferraro keep in mind these good instances?) had been already getting cash publishing psychics and Garfield the cat. Really literature was a factor of the previous.
Applewhite has an entire web site referred to as www.thischairrocks.com. She writes on it: “I led the group that developed Outdated College, a clearinghouse of anti-ageism assets. I’m the voice of Yo, Is This Ageist? (Go forward, ask me.) I’ve written a consciousness-raising booklet. And I converse extensively. All instruments to assist catalyze a motion to make discrimination on the premise of age as unacceptable as another form.”
Consciousness-raising! Hiya! What do you name a black Frenchman? Jacques Custodian.
How a few Polish joke? They appear good proper now when the Polish persons are risking their lives to assist emigree Ukrainians.
Did you hear concerning the Pole who locked his household within the automobile? He needed to get a coathanger to get them out.
So all that is a lot worse as a result of the books are nonetheless out there on Kindle! And getting cash, presumably! The Kindle editions are $3.99. The cash goes proper to Applewhite, er, Knott.
Sure, Applewhite is a critical thinker now. She’s towards ageism — as a result of she’s 65.
Oh properly, I’ll redact. Right here’s a joke about racist previous folks.
Two previous white farmers, Royce and J.T., had picked the identical day to do some searching. Royce seemed up and stated to J.T., “Sh*t! Dat’s de largest goddam hen I eva seen!” “Let’s get em,” stated J.T. They fired off a number of rounds, however the glider floated serenely over the bushes and out of sight. “Hell, Royce,” stated J.T., “I b’lieve we dusted dat hen.” “Sh*t, I do know we dusted em,” stated Royce. “Did you see how briskly it dropped dat [N word]?”
Knott, Blanche. Actually Tasteless Jokes One (p. 31). Ashtonia LLC. Kindle Version.
