Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
We’re having sex,
Because I’m stronger than you.
Hilarious, right? Wrong.
Rape jokes are far from funny, and it’s astonishing that some people still think they are. As we observe Sexual Assault Awareness Month, it’s crucial to remember that one in five women will experience rape in their lifetime. Furthermore, over 60 million Americans elected a president who either brazenly confessed to or casually joked about sexually assaulting women. This is the reality we face.
I appreciate humor and comedy, but it frustrates me when it is co-opted by misogynistic individuals or unoriginal comedians who resort to the lowest forms of humor. However, there are talented female comedians—and a few wise men—who cleverly subvert rape jokes by targeting the culture surrounding them.
What’s the distinction? It’s significant: making fun of a victim is vastly different from critiquing a perpetrator or the societal norms that enable them. Effective comedy tends to “punch up,” meaning it should challenge those in power rather than mock the vulnerable. This should be common sense, yet here we are.
Rape culture jokes inherently oppose the idea of rape. In contrast, traditional rape jokes, even if not overtly pro-rape, often come off that way. Those who share such jokes might not recognize their impact, just as they may fail to see why they upset others. These jokes trivialize genuine suffering and normalize attitudes that embolden rapists, further alienating and shaming survivors.
On the flip side, jokes that critique rape culture serve as effective satire, exposing the absurd beliefs and social norms that allow individuals like Brock Turner to escape justice. They reclaim power from those who misuse it, shifting the conversation from “What were you wearing?” to “Why are you raping?” and changing “Don’t get raped” to “Don’t rape.”
Last year, the website Reductress filled its platform with satirical pieces about rape culture, featuring headlines like “I Anonymously Reported My Rape for the Anonymous Attention” and “‘Most Women Lie About Rape,’ Says Man Lying About Rape.” That’s humor with a purpose. If you appreciate satire, you’ll likely enjoy these articles.
The battle against problematic comedy is ongoing. Recently, Dave Chapelle’s Netflix special included some troubling jokes about rape. Reading the comments, I was disheartened to see many men defending him by claiming, “It’s 2017, everyone makes rape jokes.”
No, they don’t. This mindset perpetuates rape culture. Why is it so difficult to understand? If you think coercing someone into sexual activity is a laughing matter, it’s time for a reality check. There’s a reason jokes about child molestation or the 9/11 attacks are considered off-limits. Some topics are simply too serious for humor, and rape should be one of them.
Rape culture, however, with all its absurd justifications and trivializations, is fair game for comedy—especially when done skillfully. Keep dismantling rape culture, comedians, one clever joke at a time.
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In summary, while jokes about rape are harmful and unacceptable, humor that critiques rape culture can be a powerful tool for change. By focusing on the absurdities of the norms that protect perpetrators, we can reclaim the narrative and foster a more supportive environment for survivors.