Eastwood thinks political correctness has made society humourless

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

London, February 27 (ANI): Acting legend Clint Eastwood , 79, apparently believes that political correctness has rendered modern society humourless, for he accuses younger generations of spending too much time trying to avoid being offensive.

The Dirty Harry star insists that he should be able to tell harmless jokes about nationality without fearing that people may brand him "a racist".

"People have lost their sense of humour. In former times we constantly made jokes about different races. You can only tell them today with one hand over your mouth or you will be insulted as a racist," the Daily Express quoted him as saying.

"I find that ridiculous. In those earlier days every friendly clique had a 'Sam the Jew' or 'Jose the Mexican' - but we didn't think anything of it or have a racist thought. It was just normal that we made jokes based on our nationality or ethnicity. That was never a problem. I don't want to be politically correct.

We're all spending too much time and energy trying to be politically correct about everything," he added.

[Jasman0717 9]

Alright Clint Rowdy Yates

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I'd like to know if there is a specific example he is referring to, but for him being a high profile public figure, it's his choice what he wants to say. He's smart enough to know that if he did tell a racially charged joke and someone got offended, he can tell them to go jump in a lake, or say he's sorry. If he's saying that what he says or does shouldn't have an effect on who will go see his movies then he's not being realistic. Sean Penn, for example, knows that there are people out there who boycott his films because of what he has said or done. Nobody is holding a gun to anyone's head....but to dream of a world where what you say has no consequences is just dreaming.

(Edited)

Edited February 28, 2009 by Mister Fancypants

[Jasman0717 9]

Sean Penn, for example, knows that there are people out there who boycott his films because of what he has said or done. Nobody is holding a gun to anyone's head....but to dream of a world where what you say has no consequences is just dreaming.

(Edited)

Sean Penn, what did he to do offend anyone

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Sean Penn, for example, knows that there are people out there who boycott his films because of what he has said or done. Nobody is holding a gun to anyone's head....but to dream of a world where what you say has no consequences is just dreaming.

(Edited)

Sean Penn, what did he to do offend anyone

Well, he's on the liberal wall of shame on BoycottLiberalism.com. It seems that it's ok to be offended by what a celebrity like Penn says or does if it's because you disagree with his politics, but not ok to be offended if he tells a racially charged joke...because that would be PC.

[_Simpson_ 250]

I'd like to know if there is a specific example he is referring to, but for him being a high profile public figure, it's his choice what he wants to say. He's smart enough to know that if he did tell a racially charged joke and someone got offended, he can tell them to go jump in a lake, or say he's sorry. If he's saying that what he says or does shouldn't have an effect on who will go see his movies then he's not being realistic. Sean Penn, for example, knows that there are people out there who boycott his films because of what he has said or done. Nobody is holding a gun to anyone's head....but to dream of a world where what you say has no consequences is just dreaming.

(Edited)

I think in a nutshell what he was trying to say is people need to lighten up and not take these things so seriously.

If you want to get a idea of what he is talking about you should watch Gran Torino. It was a great movie. He had fun with the stereotypes of different races and because of it some might think hes racist. I bet you this movie had something to do with him coming out and saying that. Hes probably been getting alot heat(which I find stupid) but thats the world we live in right now.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I think in a nutshell what he was trying to say is people need to lighten up and not take these things so seriously.

If you want to get a idea of what he is talking about you should watch Gran Torino. It was a great movie. He had fun with the stereotypes of different races and because of it some might think hes racist. I bet you this movie had something to do with him coming out and saying that. Hes probably been getting alot heat(which I find stupid) but thats the world we live in right now.

I heard that he also told Spike Lee to go to hell for questioning why he under-represented blacks in his war movies. That's the beauty of free speech. We can say what we want, but what we can't do is control how people will react to what we say.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I think in a nutshell what he was trying to say is people need to lighten up and not take these things so seriously.

If you want to get a idea of what he is talking about you should watch Gran Torino. It was a great movie. He had fun with the stereotypes of different races and because of it some might think hes racist. I bet you this movie had something to do with him coming out and saying that. Hes probably been getting alot heat(which I find stupid) but thats the world we live in right now.

I heard that he also told Spike Lee to go to hell for questioning why he under-represented blacks in his war movies. That's the beauty of free speech. We can say what we want, but what we can't do is control how people will react to what we say.

There is hope for you yet, Steve!

[_Simpson_ 250]

I think in a nutshell what he was trying to say is people need to lighten up and not take these things so seriously.

If you want to get a idea of what he is talking about you should watch Gran Torino. It was a great movie. He had fun with the stereotypes of different races and because of it some might think hes racist. I bet you this movie had something to do with him coming out and saying that. Hes probably been getting alot heat(which I find stupid) but thats the world we live in right now.

I heard that he also told Spike Lee to go to hell for questioning why he under-represented blacks in his war movies. That's the beauty of free speech. We can say what we want, but what we can't do is control how people will react to what we say.

Citing historical accuracy, Eastwood responded that his film was specifically about the soldiers who raised the flag on Mount Suribachi at Iwo Jima, pointing out that while black soldiers did fight at Iwo Jima, the U.S. military was segregated during WWII, and none of the men who raised the flag were black. Eastwood also pointed out that his 1988 film Bird, about the Jazz musician Charlie Parker featured 90% black actors, and sarcastically said that his upcoming movie about post-apartheid South Africa will not feature a white actor in the role of Nelson Mandela. He angrily said that Lee should "shut his face". Lee responded that Eastwood was acting like an "angry old man"

The last sentence sounds like your saying that because we cant control how people react we shouldn't do anything.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The last sentence sounds like your saying that because we cant control how people react we shouldn't do anything.

Not at all. Look at this way, if you have a joke about a fat lady that you are just dying to tell at the next party you're invited to, are you going to be discreet who you tell the joke or are you going to just tell it and not worry about how some other guest might react? It's your choice. If you do tell it, and some woman gets offended, are you going to apologize or tell her to lighten up? Your choice. You can't change how that woman reacts, but at the same time, if you don't feel it's necessary to be at least a little sensitive to the people around you, then most likely, you'll come off as an a$$hole....which is fine for some...because again, your choice.

I think in general, people who also heard the joke will decide for themselves if they thought it was over the line and won't be influenced by what you say or the woman who says she's offended. Do some people overreact? Sure...but most likely, the other guests will see that as well.

[_Simpson_ 250]

The last sentence sounds like your saying that because we cant control how people react we shouldn't do anything.

Not at all. Look at this way, if you have a joke about a fat lady that you are just dying to tell at the next party you're invited to, are you going to be discreet who you tell the joke or are you going to just tell it and not worry about how some other guest might react? It's your choice. If you do tell it, and some woman gets offended, are you going to apologize or tell her to lighten up? Your choice. You can't change how that woman reacts, but at the same time, if you don't feel it's necessary to be at least a little sensitive to the people around you, then most likely, you'll come off as an a$$hole....which is fine for some...because again, your choice.

I think in general, people who also heard the joke will decide for themselves if they thought it was over the line and won't be influenced by what you say or the woman who says she's offended. Do some people overreact? Sure...but most likely, the other guests will see that as well.

Oh ok I see, good point. I agree.

[Waldo 0]

Gran Torino was a GREAT movie. Don't see it if words offend you!

[Niels Bohr 72]

Well,

Clint Eastwood is 79, that tells something about his character. His perspective will change after having lived a good life. Now, he's just reflecting his past and comparing it to today. Time has changed Clint, that doesn't mean human nature doesn't exist.

[Ban Hammer 13,619]

Well,

Clint Eastwood is 79, that tells something about his character. His perspective will change after having lived a good life. Now, he's just reflecting his past and comparing it to today. Time has changed Clint, that doesn't mean human nature doesn't exist.

what exactly is it supposed to tell us, other than he's 79?

[Niels Bohr 72]

Well, Clint Eastwood is 79, that tells something about his character. His perspective will change after having lived a good life. Now, he's just reflecting his past and comparing it to today. Time has changed Clint, that doesn't mean human nature doesn't exist.

what exactly is it supposed to tell us, other than he's 79?

I'm sure everyone been through their teens years. Now when you look back at your teen years, you know there are things you wished you had known then.

He's doing the same thing. He's staring back when he was younger (vibrant and energetic full of ambition), then his middle age (Same, busy, responsible, workaholic, midlife crisis etc..), then the onset of elderly (those crazy teens of the new generations how dare they? life is not what it's used to...etc...)