Source: jamestyler.org

Sometimes I think public figures try to be the first one to make a joke out of something that really isn’t humorous because the stuff they come up with is usually more silly than funny.

Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank is apologizing for a weak joke he made at the Dartmouth commencement on Sunday when he hooded Hubie Jones during the ceremony. He told the civil rights leader:

“you now have a hoodie you can wear and no one will shoot at you.”

Not necessarily offensive, borderline insensitive, definitely dumb. The crack reportedly received nervous laughter and a few groans from the crowd which suggested not only was it too soon for a comment like that but there most likely won’t ever be a time when you can make light of Trayvon Martin’s killing.

Barney says he made the same joke at his own expense at three other graduation ceremonies so I guess he figured fourth times the charm. He explained that he didn’t mean any harm by it, instead the purpose was to “ridicule the notion that a hooded sweatshirt is somehow sinister.”

Thanks, Barns. We’ve got it from here.

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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