Humor and Sexism

Concerning the Nov. 26 review of the rap album “Arsenio Hall Presents Chunky A--Large & in Charge”:

Dennis Hunt writes, “Some women, though, won’t be able to see the humor for the sexism.” In this one sentence, Hunt makes at least three facile and inappropriate assumptions.

1--Fortunately for all of us, Hunt would not have been able to make the same cavalier comments in this context: “Some blacks won’t be able to see the humor for the racism.” Hunt and his editors are wrong to assume that offensive and degrading references are generally more acceptable when applied to women.

2--The large contingent of people disturbed by derogatory references to any group includes men as well as women.

3--It’s not that people have trouble seeing the humor in sexism or racism or any other oppressive thinking; most just don’t think there’s any humor in them to see.

LYNN BAILEY MELTZER

Los Angeles