On the first full day of school we found out that one of our American Studies teachers, Mr. Bolos, "died" and in his place was our substitute teacher Mr. Solob (okay so it really was just Mr. Bolos in outdated glasses). Mr. Solob had a very unique accent, and each time he mispronounced our names everyone, even me, would erupt with laughter. It was funny, but was if right?
What if something really did happen to Mr. Bolos and we really did have a sub from a different country, would we have laughed at his accent? Probably not, because it's just not right. According to Migrationpolicy.org, around 1.1 million to 1.3 million legal immigrants come to America each year and it is very feasible that one could become a substitute teacher. These teachers probably have accents and say our names weirdly. I would hope that the class wouldn't laugh and give them credit for trying.
But at the same time making fun of how someone talks is not a new form of comedy. Just look at Elmer Fudd from Loony Toons. Whenever he says "Wascal Wabbit" you can't help but laugh, but really you’re laughing at a speech impediment when he can't pronounce his R's. On The Simpsons the Characters of the Indian Apu and the Scotsman Willy have very stereotypical accents that are a big punchline in the story line. Even in one of my favorite movies, Singin' in the Rain, one of the biggest jokes is Lina Lamont's extremely nasally talking voice. I hope that if most people met someone like these in real life they wouldn't start laughing.
The truth is that America is very diverse with MANY different accents within it and almost all of them have been made fun of in one way or another. But I still wonder, is it right?
Emma, you bring up such a good point! The way people talk is such an important part of who they are, and yet its often the easiest thing to ridicule. Several weeks ago I made fun of a friend for stuttering, and she assertively pointed out that stuttering is a speech impediment people struggle their whole lives to overcome. I was ticked, but its true. Why is it wrong to mock someone's religion, race, appearance-and yet permissive to make fun of how they speak? Speech is a gift, and in no way is it right to mock someone's gift-no matter how tempting or humorous it may be.
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