Jokes and satirical humour.

I laughed at this one and then got to thinking about the underlying message  and how in a nation that needs bridge building between the races, is challenged by humour if they are continually the butt of the humour. Our own prejudice is reinforced when we should be looking for good things to say about each other.

In the past we had our fair share of jokes that were aimed at the Jews the Irish the French and of course the Germans. Jokes are a way of expressing our prejudice behind the wall of humour. I often thought, as with our satirical humour which lampoons leaders and the like, what it must be like to be the butt of such humour. I know when I read a provocative critique of the English and we certainly deserve them, I do take it a little personally and wonder why the joke teller hasn't looked at the issue under scrutiny of the joke with a more understanding. 

I know you might say lighten up Woody but if a race of people are symbolised continually as corrupt under performers, don't be surprised if they turn out so !!!

What do you think ?

A school inspector is visiting a grade 4 class in a local school in Soweto. He is introduced to the class by the teacher, Miss Wesizwe.

She says to the class: "Let's show the inspector just how clever you are by allowing him to ask you a question."

The inspector decides to ask a Biblical question. He says: "Class, who broke down the walls of Jericho?"

For a full minute there is absolute silence. All the children just stare at him blankly.

Eventually Sipho raises his hand and the Inspector points excitedly to him.

Sipho stands up and says: "Sir, I don't know who broke down the walls of Jericho, but it wasn't me."

The inspector looks at the teacher for an explanation. She says: Well, I've known Sipho since the beginning of the year and I believe that if he says that he didn't do it, then he didn't do it."

The inspector is shocked at the level of ignorance. He storms down to the principal's office and tells him what happened.

The principal replies: "Look, I don't know the boy, but I socialise every now and then with his teacher and I believe her. If she feels that the boy was not involved, then he must be innocent."
 

The inspector can't believe what he is hearing. He grabs the phone on the principal's desk, dials the Minister of Education and relates the entire episode, and asks her what she thinks of the education standard in the school.

 The Minister sighs heavily and replies: "Eish, wena, you know I'm very bezy. I don't know the boy, the teacher or the principal. Just get three quotes,  add 50% for me, and have the wall fixed by my brother."

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