We Need Better Punchlines

Violence isn’t funny. I’ve made this mistake before, so I’m not judging anyone outright here; I’m just explaining my position on the subject due to a recent conversation about marketing for self-defense classes.

When I was the manager of Panther Gym and running the boxing and kickboxing classes, I came up with a slogan for a shirt: “Fitness through violence.”

Seems like a funny comment, right? I mean, I was teaching boxing and kickboxing at the time and people were getting fit doing those classes. Boxing and kickboxing are, depending on your working definition, violent endeavors.

I can’t say I regret coming up with the slogan. It was creative; it was funny; it was on brand. I just can’t say it was all that well thought out. By today’s standards, it’s just dumb and wrongheaded.

Think about that when you’re rewarding companies that profit off of products and marketing strategies that glorify violence. It’s lazy and more than a little offensive to victims of violence.

I learned this firsthand listening to victim impact statements. It taught me a valuable lesson that I wish I could have learned earlier in my life.

Before you roll your eyes or shake your head, understand that I’m not a member of the “snowflake” generation. I’m not overly sensitive. I’ve done more than most. I’ve seen more than most. I’m not above using violence and I’m certainly not a stranger to it.
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I’ve simply expanded my definition of violence to recognize that it really isn’t all that funny. I hope you can do the same with your definition.