I'm writing a musical with some friends. There's a gag between a few characters about having to eat their pet cat in lean times. (The basis of the joke is a wealthy character's reaction to this reality of the hard-knock life.) But I've just realised how this could sound to one of my friends who is Asian. Is it worse to assume my friend will be offended, or worse to leave the joke in?
Answers (2)
I don't think that it would be racist unless you actually made references to Asia or Asian culture multiple times in the program. You said it is a lean time for the character. When you are in a time like that you need sustenance. There are probably other people not Asian who did the exact same thing in a dire circumstance. So no, unless you are making the program have a lot of Asian culture jokes, than it wouldn't be racist.
That sounds awesome. I love dystopian future society type things. I would love to see it when it is finished being made.
You can't be racist towards pets...
I have not read the others. Racist. This is degrading because to eat someones pet who is going to visit your show is tasteless. How you find your humor is up to you. Whether you think a wrong concept can destroy a movie this happens often.
The offence will be a loss of class.
I have no idea why you would not have realized you were being insensitive to the human races and their pets.
Start a full rewrite and challenge yourself to make life your concern not where the pig invited to the roast is wonderfully enjoyed by one and all.
good day sir
Thanks for your answer! It's a sci-fi musical stage show with a subtext about consumerism. People in dire poverty throughout history have eaten cats (and worse). And while I'd hope the cast would be diverse, race isn't mentioned; the rich, ignorant character has 'porcelain' skin but that could refer to being smooth.