I saw another gluten joke yesterday on Facebook. It was in the form of a meme. It was not funny. Gluten jokes never are.
The joke was shared on a page for a cable comedy show. The page has almost a million followers.
One of the first to comment was a mom who said:
“Not funny about the gluten comments. My daughter has celiac and is bullied at school by little kids chasing her with gluten-containing pasta necklaces.”
Of the 443 people that reacted to her comment, 372 laughed. They actually laughed when a mom shared that her gluten-free child was being bullied at school.
The remaining folks reacted to her comment seemed to be commiserating with her by “liking” her comment, being “sad” about her comment, being “surprised,” being “angry” (I am being hopeful and assuming they were angry that her daughter was being treated in such a manner, rather than they were angry that she was upset by the meme), or “loving” her comment.
Yet so many commenting thought the meme was hysterical!! And they were pretty ugly to the mom who commented to try to enlighten those who don’t live gluten free. So much so that she responded further to try to bring her point home:
“My daughter has had multiple ER visits and spent her entire life sick and your lack of empathy and this “joke” is exactly the same attitude that results in poor treatment and normalization of any mistreatment of minority or disabled person.”
The Reality of Those Gluten Jokes
The mother of the daughter with celiac finally stopped commenting because the backlash against her was fast and furious. Thankfully, a few people were supportive of this mom and her point.
They joined in to share how such gluten jokes are harmful to those who live gluten free for medical reasons. And how such jokes are actually not funny.
“The joke only makes it harder for the people with the actual problem.”
“I am actually INSANELY well versed in humor. Which is why can spot a lazy, overplayed joke from a mile off.”
“People don’t take it seriously BECAUSE of the jokes. And it’s not that they have to go away entirely. But they’re tired. The meme is dead.”
“It’s time to retire that punchline. And “you can’t take a joke” is the classic line of bullies.”
“The jokes are what make it a punchline. Make people think ALL of it is fake. Because look at this joke. It just mocks THE ENTIRETY of the condition. It makes no effort or indication that it is about fakers.”
I agree with all of the above comments. Sadly, I also believe that seeing gluten-free individuals mocked so (nice words) keeps some from seeking a diagnosis. I’m reminded of the old adage:
Predictably, the folks that shared those comments were also attacked and derided.
I won’t share the original meme or any of the ugly comments because none of them deserve any more “air time.” Likewise, I chose not to comment on the meme or reply to any of the comments on it on Facebook.
But here’s my meme on gluten jokes in response to all the people who insist on sharing gluten jokes (seemingly over and over).
![About those gluten jokes. They're not funny and they do harm to those who live gluten free for medical reasons. They also keep some from getting diagnosed. [from GlutenFreeEasily.com]](https://glutenfreeeasily.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/News-Flash-Gluten-Jokes.jpg "About those gluten jokes. They're not funny and they do harm to those who live gluten free for medical reasons. They also keep some from getting diagnosed. [from GlutenFreeEasily.com]")
Other Discussions You May Find Helpful in Your Gluten-Free Journey
~ 5 Things You Need To Know When You Go Gluten Free
~ Grieving Gluten: The Five Stages of Loss of Gluten Plus a New One
~ I’m Gluten Free. You Got a Problem with That?
~ In Defense of the Medically Necessary Gluten-Free Diet
~ Teaching Children To Understand, Accept, and Support Others with Food Interolances/Allergies
~ They Just Don’t Understand (Part 1 and Part 2)
Find more helpful discussions here.
Originally published June 28, 2018.
Ina Gawne says
Wow. Wow. Thank you for sharing this Shirley. It boggles my mind how ignorant and cruel people can truly be. Thank goodness there are still some wonderful, beautiful, caring people out there such as yourself….we need more of you in this world!
Shirley Braden says
First, thanks for the kind words, Ina! The cruelty boggles my mind as well. Ignorance is more forgivable but sadly, these kinds of jokes keep the ignorance and cruelty going. I’ll never understand this way of thinking. I really hope these kind of jokes will go away in the future but I have no reason to believe they will. 🙁
Shirley
Johnna says
Thank you for this. It’s struggle enough to live with a chronic autoimmune disease (or multiples, as many of us do) without having the validity of our medical condition questioned by “jokes.”
Shirley Braden says
You’re welcome, Johnna. I really appreciate your feedback. In one way, people might expect us to get used to these kinds of jokes, especially the folks who say, “well, this joke is only aimed at the folks who really don’t need to eat gluten free.” But as we keep reminding folks, these jokes hurt everyone who lives gluten free (with celiac and more to contend with) or anyone who may suspect that they have celiac/NCGS but resist testing and/or trying a GF diet because of the hate directed to gluten-free folks.
Shirley
jen says
where is the original “joke”? I’m curious to read it. my heart goes out to that poor mom.
Shirley Braden says
Hi Jen–It’s good to see you here at gfe again. 🙂 I’m not sure you’ll want to read those comments but you can look for the meme on The Daily Show’s page.
Shirley
Mari says
My son-in-law doesn’t take it seriously and has taught my grandson that it’s a big joke. It is not uncommon for him to put serving spoons from the gluten containing foods into the other bowls, stir it around and then smirk expectantly. My daughter tells him that it’s not funny, and that it’s dangerous. I have given up telling him. My grandson will periodically touch a slice of bread and then run over and pat my face and hands, and yell, “Gluten, gluten”, and laugh. It’s annoying enough when a comedian or online jokester makes fun of us, but when it’s family, it’s really exasperating. These incidents have tapered off, but they still happen on occasion, and they still exasperate me. I have given up eating at their house. Thankfully my grandson is older now and doesn’t find it as amusing as he once did. What’s puzzling is that my son-in-law is a really nice guy except for thinking gluten free is a joke.
Charlotte Moore says
That is a shame. Your son in law may experience something one day and it will not be so funny then.
Shirley Braden says
Oh my goodness, Mari, what an awful, awful situation that you’re dealing with in regard to your son-in-law and grandson. There’s no other way to put it. How could you not be exasperated? It makes me wonder if there’s some underlying issue there. Perhaps your son-in-law suspects he has gluten issues and is doing the best defense is a good offense thing. Just wow. Big hugs to you, my friend! Definitely smart to not eat there but it makes me wonder how your son-in-law and grandson may be interacting with any others with food issues that they encounter.
Shirley
Nancy French says
Thanks as always for getting the word out on issues of this type. I have heard the jokes (on TV), but that this child was bullied and the mother mocked when explaining the severity of her child’s illness is unbelievable!
Shirley Braden says
Yes, Nancy, unbelievable is right. I avoid reading comments as much as possible on most articles online (anyone who has ever read comments knows why) but I read these with hope that there wouldn’t be the usual bashing of gluten-free individuals but rather support instead. It’s so disturbing that individuals can be so mean spirited. And we know that these folks have kids who will model their behavior. 🙁
Shirley
Cindy says
Wow – heartbreaking on so many levels.
Shirley Braden says
I agree, Cindy, and I don’t know how we can change this situation.
Shirley
cheryl says
such a great post, Shirley. As a society, we’ve forgotten to value kindness.
Shirley Braden says
Thanks, Cheryl. Ah, your statement is true in so many ways. Maybe that is why I am seeking out more and more ways to be kind and help others. Those of us who don’t choose to live this way are trying to make up the deficit, I suppose.
Shirley
Lynne L says
Hi Shirley! I have had insensitive gluten “jokes” aimed my way at work. Example..I have a mild choking reflex & one day something went down the wrong way & I just could not stop coughing. One guy made the remark “must have gotten some gluten stuck in there”. I took him aside & ripped into him about how that wasn’t funny & I was offended & he wasn’t expecting my response because he thought it was hilarious. He isn’t a malicious person so we had a chat about it & I educated him about what CD is, the internal damage it can cause, how sensitive I am about it since actually being diagnosed in March with it (my daughter has been diagnosed as well & we have the CD genetic marker) & how it actually is a DISEASE & even if it was NCGS how painful it can be when gluten is injested.
Part of the problem has been the media 1. Not understanding what CS &NCGS are 2. Putting down actors who have gone gf for their health, but not having a diagnosis 3. Processed gf products on the market which are admittedly not very healthy & people like Dr Oz stating on their show that the gf “diet” is not good for you..but that lumps ALL gf food AND people who eat this way into the same category. That gives the CD uneducated public a bad taste & an I told you so attitude. I saw that episode & was appalled! I had Dr Oz quoted at me the next day & the person remarked ‘see he said eating gf isn’t good for you so you shouldn’t do it’!!!
Sorry for the long rant, but this is a sore spot & I’m so glad you posted!!
From Lynne
Shirley Braden says
Hi Lynne–Thanks for sharing your family’s story and for pointing out what’s behind the continued gluten jokes. I agree that Dr. Oz and the others who constantly point out that a gf diet is unhealthy and shouldn’t be undertaken by anyone who does not have celiac are big culprits here. That kind of statement from anyone always makes me angry because it assumes that gluten-free individuals are only eating gf processed foods. Gimme a break! Most of us are eating real food that happens to be gf with some gf specialty foods in the mix. And unless they’re comparing apples to apples as in what non-gf folks are eating compared to what we’re eating, they can just zip it IMO. Most of the non-gf folks I know LIVE on processed foods and eat very little real food.
I’m sorry you have dealt with that kind of harassment at work but I’m really glad that you let that co-worker know what was up. I hope he will change his behavior. If he does, we all should be thankful to you! And then he can educate another person and they can educate someone else. We need that domino effect to work some good vs the usual bad effects that can happen.
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, Lynne!
Shirley
Lynne Lopes says
You are so right & that’s what I’m hoping for…spread by word of mouth/education. When I retire, one of the things on my bucket list is to join local organizations & educate people about CD & NCGS. I will even go out & give speeches/taljs to anyone who will listen! I think this is particularly important in schools. Cheers! Lynne
Lynne Lopes says
Omg Shirley. Today’s Dr Oz is replaying the episode where the caption was “is your gluten free obsession exposing you to eating arsenic?” Not one of the ladies from the audience that he brought up actually had Celiac Disease, but were NCGS. At least the “experts” recommended millet, etc & other grains that weren’t rice. What I object to is the “obsession” thing. I’m still watching it & so far not once have they mentioned medical necessity. His last statenent before the break was stay tuned to find out how you can lessen your symptoms or get rid of them! He has a Dr on…finally she mentioned Celiac, but they just mentioned Gwyneth Paltrow etc. Turning it off because it’s really ticking me off!!!
Shirley Braden says
Hi Lynn–A giant UGH on all that!! Dr. Oz really needs to be taken off the air. Seriously. That episode and so many others of his will do serious harm. 🙁 His show is all about “click-bait” style, sensational headlines and wording. And those words are what stick in folks’ minds. And to throw Goop (aka Gwyneth Paltrow) in the mix really messes things up.
Shirley