Word: hrbsa
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Specifically, the HRBSA cited several examples of alleged derogatory humor that appeared in the Lampoon. They included a black child shining the shoes of John Harvard, a disease termed "Negrosis," and a Tar Baby Award. The Tar Baby Award read as follows...
...argued that if the material was examined in context readers would find humor directed at the stereotype rather than the ethnic group itself. The Lampoon saw itself a "humor magazine (which) attempted to amuse readers by ridiculing stereotypes rather than merely by repeating or perpetuating them." For their part HRBSA saw ridicule as missing the mark in these cases and serving instead to keep both the stereotypes alive and to reinforce the prejudice of those already so inclined. Furthermore, the argument continued, such humor was clearly perceived as offensive by other students and this served only to worsen rather than...
...provide evidence of the reaction of College readers to the material, the HRBSA solicited signatures from students. Five hundred undergraduates signed a statement that they found the examples of racial humor in the Lampoon offensive. Attempts were then made to resolve the matter between HRBSA and the Lampoon directly; and substantial progress toward an understanding was made in those discussions. This effort entered into voluntarily on both sides, would probably have succeeded if the statement tentatively accepted by both parties had not been prematurely released to the Crimson by the Lampoon and published together with a comment by a Lampoon...
...members of the Lampoon are quite concerned about the issues raised in recent weeks by the HRBSA. We regret that students have found some material in the magazine to be 'racially offensive.' We wish to express our concern that specific articles were received in this fashion. The Lampoon is a humor magazine; we attempt to amuse our readers by ridiculing stereotypes rather than merely repeating or perpetuating them...
When discussions broke down between HRBSA and the Lampoon, HRBSA lodged a complaint with the office of the dean of students. Once again representatives of HRBSA and the Lampoon agreed to meet and to attempt in good will to resolve the issue on an informal basis. I now have the responsibility to report the results of three meetings between representatives of HRBSA, the Lampoon and myself. I will first indicate my own opinion of the complaint...