Skip to content

I think stutterers are funny. And I know it's rude and…

“I think stutterers are funny. And I know it's rude and politically incorrect to laugh at stutterers. But I think it is okay because I know why they're funny. They make people nervous. People think, when on earth are they going to get the word out, so they start laughing out of their own nervousness.” quote by James Earl Jones
Download Open image
“I think stutterers are funny. And I know it's rude and politically incorrect to laugh at stutterers. But I think it is okay because I know why they're funny. They make people nervous. People think, when on earth are they going to get the word out, so they start laughing out of their own nervousness.”

James Earl Jones

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker acknowledges the humor found in stuttering, while recognizing its potential offensiveness and the underlying nervousness it reveals.

In simple terms: Stuttering can be funny but also uncomfortable.

Key Takeaway

Consider empathy before laughing at speech differences.

Themes

empathy humor social sensitivity

Mood

empathetic critical informative

Type

social educational

When to use this quote

  • classroom discussions
  • stand‑up comedy
  • media commentary
  • support groups
  • therapy sessions

Key Concepts

communication neurodiversity

Questions to Reflect On

  • Why do we laugh at nervousness?
  • How can we respond with compassion instead?
A Different Perspective

Humor can reinforce stigma if not handled sensitively.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by James Earl Jones

Explore all 79 James Earl Jones quotes

More Earth quotes

Browse all 15,455 Earth quotes