Let it not go unobserved that "lighten up" is the traditional rejoinder of those engaging in inappropriate behavior. This formulation means: those in a positio

Let it not go unobserved that "lighten up" is the traditional rejoinder of those engaging in inappropriate behavior. This formulation means: those in a position of relative social power, expect those in subordinate positions to accept stereotyping etc. at the expense of their own and other subordinate classes. The humor, and this rejection of censure, is done to ritually encode and underscoring of the received power hierarchy. In a world in which such rituals are being openly named, and confronted, it is very common for those called out to feel defensive, and act out of that defensiveness.