Ringling Bros. Kilted Clown

[davedove]

I'm not worried about it. After all, we've seen clowns in police costumes. Does that make all policemen objects of ridicule? Of course not. The same with firemen, cowboys, and any other costume a clown may wear. If a clown wears it, it will look silly. If someone else wears the same kilt in a dignified manner, it won't seem silly.

[auld argonian]

I worry about those who jump on every little thing - including those things that are intended to amuse without being defamatory - and claim that it casts a negative light on their ethnic group/religion/national origin/profession...I fear that they're "crying wolf" and that it leads to trivialization of the really important issues.

Have we ever seen this guy perform? How do we know that he's not as great a clown as Emmet Kelly or Chaplin? The kilt could be incidental to his act (just looking for a distinctive clown personna) or he could be using the cartoon image of the "notoriously stingy Scotsman" as a basis for comedy...if he is, then he's in good company and that company includes the Three Stooges. Whichever the case, I doubt that Ringling Brothers - a good family entertainment - is going to let him really go off the deep end and offend anyone.

It's a circus...he's a clown...what does he have? A big red nose? Big clown shoes? Who's going to miss the point that it's broad comedy? Sit back and take it for what it is. Save the righteous indignation for when it's really needed.

Best

AA

[macwilkin]

I worry about those who jump on every little thing - including those things that are intended to amuse without being defamatory - and claim that it casts a negative light on their ethnic group/religion/national origin/profession...I fear that they're "crying wolf" and that it leads to trivialization of the really important issues.

Have we ever seen this guy perform? How do we know that he's not as great a clown as Emmet Kelly or Chaplin? The kilt could be incidental to his act (just looking for a distinctive clown personna) or he could be using the cartoon image of the "notoriously stingy Scotsman" as a basis for comedy...if he is, then he's in good company and that company includes the Three Stooges. Whichever the case, I doubt that Ringling Brothers - a good family entertainment - is going to let him really go off the deep end and offend anyone.

It's a circus...he's a clown...what does he have? A big red nose? Big clown shoes? Who's going to miss the point that it's broad comedy? Sit back and take it for what it is. Save the righteous indignation for when it's really needed.

Best

AA

I Never suggested we boycott Ringling Brothers or deluge them with phone calls and e-mails. Just presenting a "devil's advocate" view like others did. If you re-read my post you'll see that. Better to express worry here and discuss it then to go off half-cocked and "protest" a circus.

Sorry to offend you.

T.

[Ugly Bear]

I fear that they're "crying wolf" and that it leads to trivialization of the really important issues.

No one's "crying wolf" here. Crying wolf means raising a false alarm. This isn't an alarm, just a disinclination to support the circus. Nor is it false; this isn't some guy who might inadvertently make kilt-wearers seem foolish, this is LITERALLY A CLOWN WEARING A KILT. "Dignified" and "clown" cannot possibly go together. It's a ... whatyacallit ... it's an oxymoron. There. I said it.

Have we ever seen this guy perform? How do we know that he's not as great a clown as Emmet Kelly or Chaplin? The kilt could be incidental to his act (just looking for a distinctive clown personna) or he could be using the cartoon image of the "notoriously stingy Scotsman" as a basis for comedy...if he is, then he's in good company and that company includes the Three Stooges.

You're not exactly laying my complaint to rest here, man.

It's a circus...he's a clown...what does he have? A big red nose? Big clown shoes? Who's going to miss the point that it's broad comedy?

No one will miss his point. THAT'S THE PROBLEM. You want to make fun of baggy pants and loud colors, I have no truck with that. Let people who wear that sort of clothing regularly make their own points. But this is MY choice of clothing that's being subject to ridicule.

Does the clown have the right to do this? Sure. Do I have to take a "live-and-let-live" attitude? No, I don't.

You can call it "righteous indignation" that I won't go to Ringling Bros circus to support this. You'd be wrong. I hadn't planned on going to the circus anyway. This thread started with a suggestion that we go to the circus to support this. I'm arguing the opposite: if you go, you'll support the notion, in a tiny way, that kilts are ridiculous. That's the hill I've planted my flag on. If you've got an argument to push me off it, I'm all ears.

[Iolaus]

What if one of us was a professional clown? Are you saying that person should only poke fun at other "cultures" but not his own chosen culture?

I refuse to take myself that seriously. ;) If you can't laugh at yourself, you have no business asking others to.

[macwilkin]

What if one of us was a professional clown? Are you saying that person should only poke fun at other "cultures" but not his own chosen culture?

I refuse to take myself that seriously. ;) If you can't laugh at yourself, you have no business asking others to.

You missed my meaning; I simply stated that if a clown dressed up in another form of ethnic garb, then other ethnic groups would be screaming "murder polis" about it.

Cheers,

Todd

[Iolaus]

You missed my meaning; I simply stated that if a clown dressed up in another form of ethnic garb, then other ethnic groups would be screaming "murder polis" about it.

Cheers,

Todd

I don't recall where, but I've seen clowns in Indian get-ups.

Look, I don't want to get into a fight over this. I'm just saying that, in my opinion, this isn't something to get upset about; it's a costume, that's all! ...and if he includes some kilt humor in his act, so what? - Maybe it's actually funny.

As I said, it takes a thick skin to wear a kilt. If someone gets upset every time they percieve "disrespect", they're gonna be a pretty miserable person. Lighten up, and enjoy life. Don't look for offense; life's to short to waste it like that.

[macwilkin]

I don't recall where, but I've seen clowns in Indian get-ups.

Look, I don't want to get into a fight over this. I'm just saying that, in my opinion, this isn't something to get upset about; it's a costume, that's all! ...and if he includes some kilt humor in his act, so what? - Maybe it's actually funny.

As I said, it takes a thick skin to wear a kilt. If someone gets upset every time they percieve "disrespect", they're gonna be a pretty miserable person. Lighten up, and enjoy life. Don't look for offense; life's to short to waste it like that.

I never said that I am "offended" by it -- in fact, you'll notice that I state in my original post that I am playing "devil's advocate" -- a term which means that I may not necessarily agree with what is being said, but that POV needs to be represented in the conversation.

Am I proud of my Scottish heritage? You bet. Am I going to get upset about (literalry) a clown in a kilt. Not especially. As I stated earlier, I'm not going to protest Ringling Brothers over it, it's not worth it.

So, please, don't misunderstand me -- I think Ugly Bear raised some very valid points, and regardless of whether you agree with him, He (and others) have a right not to view the situation in the same way that others do.

Respect is a two way street.

Todd

[Ugly Bear]

What if one of us was a professional clown?

I would expect him to not use kilts as part of his work clothes.

Laughing at yourself is one thing. Being ridiculed is another. On the one hand, there's wearing a T-shirt that says, "What's Up Yer Kilt?" That's okay, that's having a laugh. Wearing a kilt completely in the context of "Isn't This Ridiculous" is different.

[Iolaus]

It takes a thick skin to wear a kilt. ;)