Doing the rounds on social media, as the world debates the truths behind the ex-Royal interview, are the Oprah Memes. Social media can be such fun! There’s Oprah, gasping in disbelief as yet another bombshell drops.
But wait. Who are the people posting these memes? Is that Karen again in a righteous mood? Was that a Chad I see mocking the great Oprah? Don’t you White people know your place? This isn’t a woman to be mocked by White people. This is a Black thing. Mocking of Oprah is reserved for Black people only. It’s called Digital Blackface.
Cancel the Whiteys.
It’s easy to poke fun at a culture gone mad. One that’s reliant on canceling everything that offends. Social media is sinking in a tirade of indignation. Everybody has something to yell about. In that sense, social is a playground of equality. An arena where everybody gets to vex and spout injustice. Where anger is the social currency and you’re not anyone unless you’ve been offended, usually by men and usually by racists.
Digital Blackface. It’s not a new phenomenon. We Jews invented the concept much in the way we invented culture, modern language, worship of G-d, and vengeance. I’m only half-joking.
Image Public Domain
You can’t mock Jewish people unless you’re Jewish. Simple as that.
You can’t say ‘nigger’ unless you’re Black.
You can’t call someone gay unless you’re gay.
You can, however, call anyone you like a ‘White racist piece of crap’ and nobody will call you out. Go on, try it.
Jewface unfortunately isn’t a thing unless you’re looking for new ways to demean the characteristics of a well-worn stereotype. Nobody on social is calling out memes of Jack Black or Pink and then being told only Jews are allowed to do this. Was Michael Che’s recent joke on SNL him being Jewface?
Sounds like a bad joke. And it is.
Digital Blackface is a culture proudly eating itself. Humor is universal and everybody should be allowed to participate regardless of their color. Does a Jewish joke become any less funny knowing a gentile made the joke? Are Oprah’s memes any less funny knowing a White person created them?
You can tell when a joke has been made out of spite in terms of its delivery and intended audience. Context is key. If I’m Ben Stiller acting as an MC for the United Jewish Federation of Funeral Directors, then you can be assured my joke will go down well. Unlike former-nazi and glorified henchman for the 3rd Reich and great-grandson to Heinrich, Jans Himmler, whose same joke would cause multiple offenses.
Before you reach for your cancel culture button and cry wolf, please understand the context and who exactly is conveying the message. Is there intent to be racist? Does the person have a history of being a fucknut?
If you answered no, then let it go. It’s a joke.
And that shit is funny regardless of who is making the punchline.