I think I said it was insulting because of what I felt was being implied by it. And if you read between the lines, you know what the intent was in including it so randomly.
I didn't really think I was accusing anyone of being insulting, I was stating that I found it insulting in its implication. I think it's fair to communicate that if that's what one is feeling. If I am wrong, then it could be clarified for me. In that case, the misunderstanding doesn't sit and fester, it's cleared up. No? And it was.
I'm glad the people on this forum are able to discuss such heated topics without falling apart. Communication is a big part of why we're able to debate without resorting to a yelling match. I think. It's so easy to misunderstand each other and make assumptions. Such as a person being racist because they enjoy the comedy of Cheech and Chong and therefore enjoy all racist remarks of any kind no matter who they come from and without any regard for context or content.
And, in my opinion, the Cheech and Chong video/song is not promoting negative stereotypes, it's tearing them down. To think otherwise is to miss the point. But again, I suppose that could be up for debate as well. This is just how I see it. So there!
I do enjoy your take on things though. Seriously. I get your point. Just don't agree this time! :X
Thanks, Sandra, I feel the same way about your posts. Sorry so late in reply, I'm out vacationing (the Big Apple!), not at the computer as much as normally...
Anyway, the way I might look at this is - in front of a black family I don't know who might be visiting me at home for some reason (community organizer meeting?), how would I feel playing Tyrone Shoelace and Basketball Jones?
This may not be the relevant litmus test, but it's the one that I guess popped into my head as I was trying to figure out what lay behind my thoughts and feelings on this. I actually remember Basketball Jones when it came out back then, and my feelings then were simply that it wasn't as funny as the rest of their stuff ... not having thought about it for 20+ years, it's only now I find I'm apparently more "sensitive" to the racial aspects of it. And, I agree with you, if Bill Cosby can have virtually identical caricatures on his cartoon, why not C&C? It's like the apparent taboo of white people saying the N* word, but it's fine for black people to call each other that. Go figure (I can't)!
Anyway, Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanza, or whatever else applies (Druid Dudes Days?)!