are clowns really people too?

Off-topic
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clownophobia :smiley:

quote:

Originally posted by Mikefule
For example, on one thread you made comments about another poster being homosexual. Now, I don’t know whether you meant it as an insult or as a joke. What you intended doesn’t really matter, because it’s the effect of what you say that matters.

For example, some people hate homosexuals and find it extremely offensive to be accused of being one.

Some people are homosexual and find it extremely offensive to see the word used as a term of abuse.

So you risk offending two completely different groups of complete strangers, just for a throwaway comment.

When in Rome…

I thought these wonderful and gentle comments of MikeFule applied equally to clowns, so I used them to start a new thread. Some who visit this site are clowns, some are clownophobic. You risk offending many clowns and clownophobics when you use these terms as hate speech.

Also, if you do call someone a clown, watch out, because clowns aren’t like us. They have been known to conspire during unicycle races and artistic competitions, to knock clownophobic competitors out of the race using dirty tactics… They don’t value life the way we do, they carry disease, they don’t work, they reproduce like cats (did you ever see how many they fit into those tiny cars!!), and they’re probably laughing at us right now…

2

aint that the trueth

3

Re: are clowns really people too?

Let’s see, one sentence (or meta-point, since those are a little easier to recognize than the sentences) at a time…

True.

True again. I’m actually a “fall guy” clown. I’ll willing throw myself to the ground in an “apparent” UPD just so some clownophobe behind me can ride over me and wipe out. As anyone I ride with, they’ll tell you how often I do that. But I never really fall…it’s all a sacrifice to support the Clown Code.

Correct again…they value it more. That’s why they work for next to nothing in really uncomfortable clothing to amuse children.

Not always, but it’s worth trying.

Absolutely…

4

out-of-the-closet on the West Coast!

Thanks, UniManiac and Tom, for responding. I makes me wonder if maybe there’s less clownophobia on the West Coast. The West Coast has always seemed hipper and cooler.

I don’t even think Tom minds if I say: You sort of look like a clown. He’s an out-of-the-closet clown.

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Re: out-of-the-closet on the West Coast!

Out of the box would be more accurate. Once a year, whether I need it or not. :smiley:

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Barely cooler that curling

An article Rafael submitted to his “uni articles” thread has been reported to the clownish Defense league… Of course, you’ll notice in the last line, that unicycles are not seen as very cool, either. It may be just a tad cooler than curling–and few people have even heard of that sport.

"…Unicycle: This is a great means of transportation - if you’re a clown. Really though, a unicycle will certainly develop your sense of balance and get you lots of attention. But, as Hogg of ABC Cycle & Sports noted, “You can’t get from A to B very quick, and it’s hard on the legs, man.”

Price: starting at around $200.

Montreal practicality: low.

Cool factor: (without clown suit) low-medium, (with clown suit) low. "

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Re: Barely cooler that curling

Hey Clown, it’s R-A-P-H-A-E-L. It’s only spelled out in every damn, largely pointless - like this one - post I make. :wink:

Raphael Lasar
Matawan, NJ

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Raphael, that’s wot i ment to rite. sory.

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Here you go Luke. If you want it.

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I should like to see one midget clown get out of a Hummer limo, just to change things up a bit.

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quote:

Originally posted by johnfoss
Dang, Billy!

I understand a dislike for clowns held by many Americans. This comes from contact with “bad” clowns. It’s always easy to spot a clown. By looks alone, one cannot tell a “real” clown, who knows how to entertain and do skills, from a person wearing a clown’s costume and makeup. Sometimes the non-professional clowns, paid or not, can be pretty annoying or just lame.

Circus performers, on the other hand, Billy needs to explain.

Hi John,

I actually like clowns and circus performers, and my comment was tongue-in-cheek, as the indicates.

YOur statement is excellent: “I understand a dislike for clowns held by many Americans. This comes from contact with “bad” clowns.”

If you replace the word “clown” with a term for any racial/ethnic/gender/sexual preference/profession, etc, you will recognize that you are talking about the origins of prejudice.

I understand a dislike for _______ held by many Americans. This comes from contact with “bad” ______.

I understand a dislike for white males held by many Americans. This comes from contact with “bad” white males.

As for bad clowns leading to a dislike for clowns, that is prejudice. Many of us have had a hard time finding a good auto mechanic or doctor, and while some ending up hating that particular profession, I think that goes too far. Likewise, I don’t think the existence of bad clowns should cause unicyclists offense to be mistaken for or called a clown.

Likewise for circus. Some unicyclists complain that unicycles are associated with circus performers rather than “real athletes.” They complain that passers-by sing the caliope circus tune as they pass by, and feel offended at being associated with the circus. This circusophobia (aversion to someone thinking you are a circus performer) also looks like a prejudice against circus performers.

[I would love to hear more about your experience at the clown conventions]

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Well it was for my benefit that Billy brought this thread back up so I’d better actually contribute a little… I’m not going to bother saying much else except to paste in what I wrote in a different thread…

So anyway, it really is something I can’t see a logical reason for, so any explanations would be greatfully received

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Some day I want to be a clown. I’m going to a clown camp this Summer. Maybe. And besides ever since I became a unicyclist I’ve become less scared of clowns.