Controversial new label from Mikkeller: Mexas Ranger

Maybe its all semantics but finding something tasteless and being offended by it are two very different things. I think many of us have watched roasts on Comedy Central. Nearly every single joke made is purposely tasteless and often that is why they are funny. In that instance I can find something tasteless and hilarious at the same time. Being offended is moving beyond simply finding something tasteless into allowing it to actually affect you in some way, shape or form.

 

first off, this label isn't offensive (i spent a few seconds trying to figure out why it's supposed to be, and then concluded it's b/c people who don't understand "offensive" think we who get offended are offended by the mere mention of race or gender or something).

but you ask why people get offended by labels, then say they're no worse than raunchy sitcom jokes. but they're both worth getting offended over! public media (commercials, beer labels, sitcoms, etc) is part of our culture. i don't want a racist, sexist, homophobic culture.

frankly, i'm surprised someone as reasonable as you would hold such a thoughtless opinion as "why would an inanimate object offend you?" it's not that the object hurts your feelings, it's that you see implications of condoning racism/sexism/etc in various forms of media.

 

Beer looks gross, i like the label, almost like i'm on an acid trip.

 

Let's say a modern-day brewery located in South Carolina released a beer called "The Good Ol' Days" with a label that depicted slaves picking cotton. Yes, for all intents and purposes it's not a "direct attack on any of us" but do you know why? Because BAs—not unlike the Oscar voters, as we've just found out!—are ≈ 90% straight white men. Which, is a pretty comfortable thing to be. (I was gonna make a joke, but then realized that I was simply lifting from a Louis C.K. bit…)

 

considering it's mikkeller, what is inside the bottle is bound to be more offensive than the label.

 

Whatever, if its spicy ill try it.

 

Gah, I hate when I agree with Levitation, I really do.

 

I like it

Probably won't be worth a damn though.

 

This is pretty close to the response I would have posted. Labels, pictures, and words are not neutral inanimate objects, they are expressions that someone came up with, and they often use symbols that draw on a common consciousness and suggest specific ideas. That's why a beer label bearing the image of a swastika, for example, would be considered "offensive" by some or most people. It's not the image itself; it's what it represents. Is that such a difficult concept to grasp?

 

I appreciate this post and respect what you have to say. What you have to say is right, I just happen to look at this situation from another prospective. I think often times offensive statements are made to draw a reaction. They want people to be offended, once people react it empowers those whose goal is to offend. It is my choice to not given them that power or the reaction they desire. By not being offended does not mean I support or condone the action, it simply means I do not allow it to affect me.

My entire comments were based on the prospective of previous beer label discussions that have happened in the past. It seems that some wind up irrationally upset, almost if they themselves have been personally attacked. Maybe my comments are on the complete opposite side of the spectrum as a reaction to that but for the most part this is how I feel. I will certainly agree racist/sexist/etc implications made that should not exist but on the flip side society has become a bit too ultra sensitive.

 

The new "being offended" is taking offense to someone else being offended.

Even if we don't understand the reasoning behind someone finding this label in poor taste, I don't think it's too much to ask to grant them their right to feel the way they do. Particularly since things like this, though they are often construed this way, are about more than differing senses of humor.

edited to add: This discussion has been thoughtful, more than most. I'm ruminating on what usually tends to happen when "controversy" arises.

 

you should roundhouse kick them.

 

I've struggled a bit with this concept in areas not related to beer. Yes, you're denying someone power by refusing to react to something that is (or could be viewed as) offensive; but your silence could also be construed as consent or condonation (Qui tacet consentire).

It's up to each of us where we draw the line personally, I don't think anyone should be in the position of telling me what "should" offend me. So I also agree w/ you that political correctness often goes overboard. I don't find this label offensive but I'm also not going to tell someone else that they're wrong if they do.

 

didn't see that, i think my mind just assumed chilies

 

I think one key there would be to look at where those "discussions" originated.

But to the meat of the subject- to take the stance that "inanimate objects shouldn't be considered offensive" is pretty much untenable. A slippery slope- but by that logic, things like swastikas wouldn't be offensive, as they are just inanimate symbols. I know, I know, slippery slope- but in this case, valid I'd say. Imagery can easily be offensive. Simple being designed to provoke a reaction, and succeeding in doing so, doesn't exempt something from offense.

This specific beer label in question... eh, not especially offensive, though it obviously is making light of a touchy situation (likely-illegal immigration), so who's to say.

The beer itself... from Mikkeller... I'm with backfat.

 

Maybe meat is the next frontier in adjuncts? Right Brain Brewing did that pork beer...

 

Too true!!!

 

Id say the label is rather tasteless and further perpetuating stereotypes and racism, which is part of what led to ridiculous profiling laws in Arizona.
To say people should not get riled up over simple art work is a bit easy, usually and idea posited by those in the majority and not facing discrimination. Do you think a swastika is equally unoffensive? It is, after all, just an inanimate object... I personally, along with millions of other people, am/would be offended by seeing such a symbol.
Otherizing the minority through speech, propaganda, cartoons etc... is what has led to some of the worlds most heinous crimes against humanity.
If you were the one being attacked I suspect you would be singing a different tune.