Born: 1961 (age 57 years), Romania
Alma mater: George Mason University
Institutions: Merrimack College, State University of New York at Plattsburgh, Evergreen State College, American University
Posted on 11/17/2018 11:11:52 AM PST by billorites
When former Dartmouth Professor of Government Ned LeBow cracked a joke on a San Francisco elevator, nobody could have foreseen the international firestorm it would spark. The resulting story of p.c. overreaction and academic idiocy left everyone except the 76-year-old professor looking ridiculous.
But not, apparently, quite ridiculous enough. The p.c. pinheads have censured the professor…again.
The story began at an academic conference in San Francisco when Professor Lebow, currently of King’s College London found himself on the same elevator as Simona Sharoni, a professor of women’s and gender studies at Merrimack College in Massachusetts. When Professor Sharoni courteously asked her fellow riders what floor they needed, Lebow joked “Ladies lingerie, please.”
And that’s where the “courtesy” ended.
Sharoni claims she was offended by the joke, as well as the laughter of the “white, middle-aged men” on the elevator. In her formal complaint to the International Studies Association, the organization hosting the conference, Sharoni said: “After they walked out, the woman standing next to me turned to me and said, ‘I wonder if we should have told them that it is no longer acceptable to make these jokes!'”
The ISA responded to Lebow’s lame joke, not with an eye roll, but with a rebuke. They ordered him to apologize for his “offensive and inappropriate” remark. When he refused, they formally censured him.
Now the story has taken another turn, as recounted by Professor Lebow in the Valley News:
“I discovered that she [Professor Sharoni] had not grown up in either the U.S. or U.K. — where saying “ladies’ lingerie” in an elevator is a well-known gag line — so I explained in the same email the meaning of my remark and how it was in no way directed against women.
"I further suggested that I considered a complaint of the kind she made damaging to efforts of women to combat serious and unacceptable mistreatment.
"She complained to the ISA, this time about my having contacted her, and I was censured a second time."
Comedy is in the eye of the beholder and it may be that Professor Sharoni simply didn’t like Lebow’s attempt at humor. But why complain over an attempt by the gentleman to explain the comment and clear up any confusion over its offensiveness? Complaining the first time was embarrassing enough. Why complain again?
And–a more significant question–why would an (allegedly) serious academic institution like the ISA pile on with a second censure? Professor Lebow has a theory:
“What ISA officials want is not an apology but a capitulation….giving in to their demands would further chill free speech among younger colleagues and students who are far more vulnerable than I am to sanction by their professional organization.”
Somebody in this story is getting bullied. How many people believe it’s the gender-studies professor from Massachusetts?
IIRC, both Bugs and Daffy have used the line.
Where the hell are you people from?
“Gender studies” should be eliminated altogether as a serious line of study at ANY university.
The joke is a take on the 1930s elevator operators in NYC department stores who would shout out the different departments as the elevator stopped on that floor. “ladies lingerie” just happens to be the funniest of the departments. Jeez Louise.
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In the 21st Century, humor has gone missing. Instead of laughing, people now angle to be offended by anything. It’s actually a very sick way of showing power over that person by brow beating them into a groveling apology over an offense so minor, one needs a scanning electron microscope to find it.
yeah i agree with you there.
Did you post that once for each floor?
The fact that there’s such a thing as a ‘professor of gender and women’s studies ‘ offends and traumatizes me. I
His initial response should have been to turn the tables and chastise the ladies for mocking his love to cross dress. LOL
And how do they file a private letter of reprimand when they begin by announcing it publicly?
Yes. And just think what that is saying.
Victims rule. The weakest, least flexible are kings.
Um, that doesn’t bode well for a population.
Good question.
Good answer: People who read.
Such Ameritrash should be ostracized from decent society
I am so tired of people being offended at the dumbest shit. Imagine if these people lived in 1940 in Germany. Oh, wait, those same people were “Offended by the Jews” and had them arrested and slaughtered. this is where the Democrats are going with this. Next step: Incarcerate those who are offensive and gas them if they protest.
Born: 1961 (age 57 years), Romania
Alma mater: George Mason University
Institutions: Merrimack College, State University of New York at Plattsburgh, Evergreen State College, American University
*whew* that was close!
But like I said, I saw lots of old movies on TV and listened to old vaudeville acts and comedy sketches on the radio when I was young, with this very gag line in it.
It would be interesting to know where it started and why people thought it was funny. People nowadays would think most of the stuff I laughed when I was younger was not funny or they wouldn't get it at all.
Our society and culture have changed and will continue to do so. And not necessarily for the better, I believe.
People should be able to laugh at life and not take offense at everything they see or hear. It is because of that, I blame the liberals for taking the fun and levity out of life and our country.
People who are able to read more than 140 characters at a time?
Hmmm.
Saying "Third floor: Lingerie, Hardware." would be risqué...
“The joke is a take on the 1930s elevator operators in NYC department stores who would shout out the different departments as the elevator stopped on that floor. “ladies lingerie” just happens to be the funniest of the departments. Jeez Louise.”
WINNER!
I’ve heard that joke my entire life, every elevator ride ever. Even in a three story building.
PC has killed humor.
Smiling, joking and laughing are no longer allowed.
it was from a time of large department stores and believe it or not, men who were elevator operators who announced what departments were on each floor.
Love In An Elevator:
“2nd floor....hardware, children’s wear, lady’s lingerie.
Oh, good morning Mr. Tyler. Going Down?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3Yrhv33Zb8
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