My thoughts on Charlie Hebdo
Punching downwards does little more than to reinforce fears and harmful stereotypes about marginalized groups. When your “satire” does nothing unique or creative and just portrays people as the masses already see them, it’s harmful.
Here’s an example: Grand Theft Auto V has these NPC characters that are supposed to be a caricature of transgender women. They have deep voices, masculine builds, stubble, etc. It’s a horrible stereotype, and of course the defenders say “well it’s SATIRE”. But… it isn’t. That’s how the masses see trans women, and well, it isn’t funny.
What I’m saying is the point of satire should be to punch up. To take the piss out of the dominant culture. Keep in mind, though, I’m not defending the deaths of the cartoonists; far from it. It IS a tragedy no way you look at it. But I will not defend their half-assed, insulting attempts at “satire”, either.
