fyi “it’s just a joke” is a tired excuse. if it was a joke it’s meant to be funny, if it has a potential to hurt or alienate innocent people it’s a bad joke because it’s ruining the atmosphere.
here is a funny joke: i poison a cake with an ingredient only you are allergic to. u start crying & i say “well it’s just a cake! no need to cry about it. i just wanted everyone to eat this delicious cake but u ruined it. keep ur allergies to urself”
Literally poisoning someone is not the same as hurting someone’s feelings.
you’re right! if only there was a word for when u make comparisons between things that are not exactly the same to illustrate a point… oh well