Notes from the great State of Tennessee where more people tell racist jokes than think they are funny according to this poll:

“Nearly one in six Tennesseans has told a joke about Barack Obama’s race, and three-fourths say they’ve heard or read at least one, even though only 15 percent of Tennesseans say they would find such a joke funny.”

Well, what we learned from this is that one of six people (about 17%) in Tennessee are willing to admit to telling racist jokess, but at least 2% don’t think the jokes they tell are funny. Quite curious. And 75% admit having heard a racist joke about Obama.

In addition, since whites make up roughly 80% of Tennessee’s population, and assuming Black people aren’t the ones making these racist jokes (or hearing them), one can reasonably conclude that approximately 90% of white Tennesseans have listened to the jokes which only 17% of their fellow citizens have been spreading. My those 17% have been busy little beavers, haven’t they?

Now if you believe that to be true. I would love to sell you some prime waterfront property in the Everglades. I suspect the poll probably understates the number of white Tennesseans who have told such jokes (and/or found them funny) by a factor of two, at least. Still, to be fair, I’m sure lots of whites in other states have told and/or heard such jokes regarding Obama’s non-white skin pigmentation, as well. Personally I’ve overheard a few Obama “jokes” I found offensive at the odd convenience store/gas station and fast food restaurant I’ve stopped at when on the road to take my son to or from college (located in a state that voted for Obama). I did notice that the people who listened to them were also laughing. No black people though. Other than that I haven’t come across such ugly attempts at humor. After all, the people I speak to for the most part in my day to day life don’t consider any jokes about race or ethnicity acceptable.

So, here’s my question for you. Have you heard any racist jokes since the election, and if so, has the number of such jokes increased or decreased in your experience? Then again, maybe the population willing to make fun of Obama’s race in a joke aren’t likely to repeat them to people who frequent blogs like this one.

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