Women Aren't Funny

Women Aren't Funny is a "cocumentary" (comedy-documentary...ha) by Bonnie McFarlane about why people think women aren't funny.

It brought up a lot of issues that I expected, but honestly, just hearing all of the terrible things some of these men were saying about women really bothered me. Here are just a few examples:

- The only women who're funny are fat.
- The only women who're funny are lesbians.

- All female comedians have been molested.
- Women shouldn't be in movies.

My thoughts on why women are perceived as not being funny:

- Little boys are; at best excused ("Boys will be boys!"), at worst encouraged; to be boisterous, loud, dirty, and rowdy. While little girls are told that such behaviors are not "lady-like" and that they should be reserved and set an example for their younger siblings in a motherly way. I think this is a huge reason boys tend to be considered inherently more funny than women.
- There are less women in comedy because of this, in addition to being told that being on the road is "not for women because it is dirty and unsafe." This ratio of male comedians to female comedians was pointed out in the film and I think it is extremely true. If only 5 out of 100 male or female comedians are funny, but there are 1000 male comedians versus only 20 female comedians, how does this derive a fair conclusion that women are not funny?
- Considering males and females in our society are generally raised very differently, isn't it possible that the things each gender find generally humorous are different? 

I also found a couple of moments in the film that disturbed me a little bit. At one point, Bonnie and her husband Rich are at a radio station to talk about the documentary when one of the interviewers asks, "What's Rich's part of the documentary?" Rich replies, "I'm not like a 'filmer' but..." The six or so men erupt in laughter "A 'filmer'?!" they ask, "What's a 'filmer'?!"
Rich says, "A guy who does the filming!" And they all hoot and holler with laughter.

It seems like this situation is normal enough but it reminded me quite a bit about my own experiences being with groups of men. I am pretty confident, based on my own experience and how they treated her throughout the interview, that if Bonnie were to have said that, they would have discredited her intelligence and as a documentarian because to them, it would've been very clear that her lack of articulation was due to the fact that she's a woman.

This really hit close to home because Sean and I share a lot of friends who happen to be male, and there are many times when we all hang out that I am kind of forced into this place of inferiority. I always have to watch what I say and be careful about any mistakes I might make so that they are not attributed to the fact that I am a female. Because the truth is, (white, straight) men's flaws are accepted as part of who they are, whereas women's flaws, by comparison, are seen as traits which prove her inferiority or unintelligence. At least, this has been a very obvious trend in my life.

I don't think these are things that men particularly think about. I think the reason all of this bothered me so much was because it is the first time I've ever considered that I may not be liked or accepted or given the same opportunities because I am a woman rather than because I am myself. This is an extremely disheartening realization.

The biggest thing for me right now is to become as educated as I possibly can and talk to women and men alike about their thoughts on the issue. I know there are a lot of varying opinions on the concept of feminism and I will admit that because of past encounters with people who abused the word, I hesitate to identify as such.
I guess in short, I believe in human rights.

Have you seen Women Aren't Funny? What are your thoughts on this topic? 

Watch: Kumare

Have you guys watched the film, Kumare? It's about two years old, but I hadn't heard of it until my anthropology teacher offered it as an extra credit option. I watched it today and I was completely hooked from the very first minute.

The film is a documentary that follows the philosophy and teachings of an Indian guru called Kumare, as he lives in the USA to learn about American culture and teach his wisdom. His guidance, words, and powerful presence begins drawing the attention of many who eventually become his followers and admire him deeply.

But here is the twist: he's not really any of those things.
His real name is Vikram Gandhi and he's actually an American from New Jersey who has set out to make a film about religious leaders and how people come to believe in them. Could he really get people to believe he has supernatural powers? Or that he is a divine being or spirit?
Watch as he totally does.
Kudos to the part where draws a penis on a willing man's face, and gets the guy to worship some photos of Obama, Kumare, and Bin Laden, along with some receipts and trash, and a brass cup with swastikas on it. Also, is it just me or does his trident look like breasts? Or perhaps a butt.

Anywho, of course the experiment soon gets out of hand as these people are not only drawn to him but begin sharing information about their problems and personal life.
This documentary is the ultimate search for truth and you will undoubtedly question some things you might not have before. Is truth real? If so, where does it come from?

But the ultimate question: Is Vikram a complete jerk for leading these people on or does he save face at the end? Rent it on Amazon and share your thoughts!