Thread by @NortherlyRose

#Thread
Things I don’t find funny.
From a very late diagnosed #ActuallyAutistic perspective.
On April 1, in some parts of the world, deliberate mistruths will be told to try and fool people.
Here in the UK this has now become standard government policy.
#humour
#comedy
#jokes
1/

In Brazil April Fool’s Day is known as: ‘Dia da mentira’ (day of the lie).
How interesting that so many societies make fun of people for believing what they’re told, rather than for telling lies.
This ‘put down’ category of humour is pervasive and has never seemed funny to me.
2/

A crucial factor in determining if something is funny is unkindness.
Anything resembling bullying is deeply unfunny to me.
I even find self-deprecating humour distasteful.
“Where’s your sense of humour?” they say while dishing out demeaning banter.
Not here, that’s for sure.
3/

“I was only joking” is a standard get out clause used to justify being offensive.
Teasing, joking, banter… a lot of it goes on, and it’s hard to pin down.
Getting something done about it is difficult even when it’s racist, sexist, misogynistic, transphobic, hate-filled stuff.
4/

I’m old enough to remember ‘political correctness’ and how the political right wing ridiculed attempts to be inclusive.
What’s so funny about avoiding language or behavior that excludes, marginalises, or insults groups of people who are disadvantaged or discriminated against?
5/

The threat of ridicule was supposed to deter people from being principled.
Wokery is the contemporary version of this.
Anyone who takes a stand on justice and equality instead of supporting right wing policies is a target.
Humour is a cudgel used to bring people into line.
6/

It’s easier to resist if you’re relatively unbothered by what other people think of you.
This is the case for many #neurodivergent activists.
Our moral imperatives outweigh concerns about being popular or ‘fitting in’.
We’re used to being marginalised anyway, so bring it on.
7/

The kind of humour I find funny is where an underlying truth is exposed.
Something we secretly know to be true, but have pretended not to notice, is revealed.
The ridiculousness of the situation is laid bare for everyone to see.
It’s often irony, parody or satire I suppose.
8/

It’s also satisfying when the tables get turned.
Like when Greta Thunberg threw shade at Trump.
That was funny, and clever, and completely justified.
Passivity can be our worst enemy when humour is a thinly veiled disguise for deeply unpleasant #bullying and abusive behaviour.
9/

Take two very offensive ‘jokes’ which have been made in the last week.
It’s obvious ‘humour’ isn’t going to be funny when it’s prefaced with “I love you”.
And then there’s the supposed ‘joke’ #BorisJohnson made for cynical political reasons, just before #TransDayOfVisibility
10/

Which was just before #BorisJohnson made a u-turn on his previous u-turn, but in doing so decided NOT to include #trans people in the ban on #ConversionTherapy.
It’s extremely difficult to parody politics now that we are living in #TheThickOfIt.
#TransRightsAreHumanRights
11/

As a child I was always relieved when it got to 12 noon on April 1 and I could relax a bit instead of questioning everything.
But in these troubled times there’s no escape from lies because the government holds the truth and the public in contempt.
#AprilFoolsDay
#April1st
12/end

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