Excuse me, is that PC?

Did Grandma call your Asian neighbor, "Oriental" again? It happens to the best of us. I know, it's particularly difficult not to lose your cool when she mislabels Ethnicities. Especially after spending all of that time in India while on your gap year. The older generations are just trying to keep up with Americas rapid transformation across the politically correct spectrum. We have to be understanding where grandma is coming from, but at the same time she has to keep up! America puts forth this idea that as a country we are extremely accepting of other cultures. However, it seems that we don't really take the time to learn about the other cultures that make up our country. For example, grandma not knowing that Oriental is a term that is no longer used or polite. This song is poking fun at how politically correct America tries to be. Yet, it does reveal that racism is clearly still prevalent. Racial stereotyping happens so much it often goes unnoticed. Additionally, the fact that is happens so often it's almost accepted. Caroline Myers has heard her fair share of racist jokes. It just seems so hypocritical that the U.S. is supposed to be the land of diversity and people are still discriminating against certain ethnicities.

Below are the lyrics to the song. Follow along! Make sure to read the analysis at the end : )


LYRICS (SELECTED LYRICS)

Kate Monster:
Well, it's a touchy subject.
No, not all Monsters are related.
What are you trying say, huh?
That we all look the same to you?
Huh, huh, huh?

Princeton:
No, no, no, not at all. I'm sorry,
I guess that was a little racist.

Kate Monster:
I should say so. You should be much more
careful when you're talking about the
sensitive subject of race.

(...)
Kate Monster:
Well, you're a little bit too.

Princeton:
I guess we're both a little bit racist.
Kate Monster:
Admitting it is not an easy thing to do...

Princeton:
But I guess it's true.

Kate Monster:
Between me and you,
I think

Both:
Everyone's a little bit racist
Sometimes.
Doesn't mean we go
Around committing hate crimes.
Look around and you will find
No one's really color blind.
Maybe it's a fact
We all should face
Everyone makes judgments
Based on race.

Princeton:
Now not big judgments, like who to hire
or who to buy a newspaper from -

Kate Monster:
No!

Princeton:
No, just little judgments like thinking that Mexican
busboys should learn to speak goddamn English!

Both:
Every one's a little bit racist
Today.
So, every one's a little bit racist
Okay!
Ethnic jokes might be uncouth,
But you laugh because
They're based on truth.
Don't take them as
Personal attacks.
Everyone enjoys them -
So relax!

Princeton:
All right, stop me if you've heard this one.

Kate Monster:
Okay!

Princeton:
There's a plan going down and there's only
one parachute. And there's a rabbi, a priest...
Kate Monster:
And a black guy!

Gary Coleman:
Whatchoo talkin' 'bout Kate?

Kate Monster:
Uh...
Gary Coleman:
You were telling a black joke!

Princeton:
Well, sure, Gary, but lots of people tell black jokes.

Gary Coleman:
I don't.

Princeton:
Well, of course you don't - you're black!
But I bet you tell Polack jokes, right?

Gary Coleman:
Well, sure I do. Those stupid Polacks!
Princeton:
Now, don't you think that's a little racist?

Gary Coleman:
Well, damn, I guess you're right.

Kate Monster:
You're a little bit racist.

Gary Coleman:
Well, you're a little bit too.
Princeton:
We're all a little bit racist.

Gary Coleman:
I think that I would
Have to agree with you.
Princeton/Kate Monster:
We're glad you do.

Gary Coleman:
It's sad but true!
Every one's a little bit racist -

All right!

Kate Monster:
All right!

Princeton:
All right!

Gary Coleman:
All right!
Bigotry has never been
Exclusively white

All:
If we all could just admit
That we are racist a little bit,
Even though we all know
That it's wrong,
Maybe it would help us
Get along.

Princeton:
Oh, Christ do I feel good.

Gary Coleman:
Now there was a fine upstanding black man!
Princeton:
Who?

Gary Coleman:
Jesus Christ.

Kate Monster:
But, Gary, Jesus was white.

Gary Coleman:
No, Jesus was black.
Kate Monster:
No, Jesus was white.

(...)

How many Oriental wives
Have you got?
Christmas Eve:
What? Brian!

Princeton:
Brian, buddy, where you been?
The term is Asian-American!
Christmas Eve:
I know you are no
Intending to be
But calling me Oriental -
Offensive to me!

Brian:
I'm sorry, honey, I love you.
Christmas Eve:
And I love you.

Brian:
But you're racist, too.
Christmas Eve:
Yes, I know.
The Jews have all
The money
And the whites have all
The power.
And I'm always in taxi-cab
With driver who no shower!

This isn't even the end of the song! However, the song is trying to poke fun at people's need to be politically correct. Yet, the lyrics are so truthful. Generalizations are made daily about different cultures. Stereotyping is a part of human nature. People get offended by jokes told about their particular race or ethnicity, but then they continue to tell jokes about other groups. It's all just so complex.