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[ann_b]

I am in a economics department in a conservative part of the country as an untenured asst prof--one of the few women. I have a colleague that is posting a series of "math for blondes" in 50 pt font on his door each week. I get the full view of this regularly since it is two doors down from the ladies restroom. Although he is blonde, I think it is tacky and sexist, in the sense that I don't think anyone thinks of men when blonde jokes are told and it is not appropriate to make fun of students' math skills as an educator, particularly in a department predicated on math. This man coordinates our grad students, one of whom, until you speak to her, would fit the stereotype of "blonde valley girl."

That said, I am blonde and enjoy a good blonde joke among friends who aren't clueless enough to a) circulate it and b) post it on a door--but none of the other faculty seem to have said anything to him.

Given that there are way worse diversity offenses committed weekly, like rampant homophobia and the use of "internationals" as a category of non-American grad students and job applicants, should I just let this slide?

Thanks.

[draco]

Yes, let it slide.

Shoot...there's a hair care commercial on TV that pokes fun at blondes. 

And famous dumb blondes like Paris certainly don't help your cause.

[dismal_sci]

If you  have decent rapport with the chair, you might say something in a non-outraged and perhaps slightly amused voice like, "I'm surprised you allow those sexist jokes on office doors - what's next - a door devoted to hispanic or black jokes?  Maybe there are some good jokes out there about disabled people!"   This might put into the chair's head the idea that he has some responsibility for the environment there.
 I don't think blonde jokes are on par with race jokes, but the problem with blonde is that blonde refers to woman only (men are blond I believe.)
I was one of two women in my department when I was untenured.  I'm not a role model because I remember sitting quietly in a faculty meeting while one idiot old colleague actually announced that "if we were going to be raped we better lie back and enjoy it" in response to something the Dean wanted us to do.

Another idea would be to lie and tell the chair that a female student mentioned the blonde jokes and wondered why they were there.

I would not die on this hill.

[aardvark]

Choose your battles. 

[expatinuk]

Je suis blonde, mais pas bete.

[larryc]

I would try to get someone else to mention it to him. "Geez, Ed, do you really think that is appropriate? If I were a blond female stdent I wouldn't like that very much. I would hate to see you get in trouble for creating a hostile work environment."

[saguaro]

I say let it slide. Allow him to show his own ignorance and be judged.

[beacon1]

If you find it offensive, change your hair color... you have an option.

As for me, I am bald. When the bald jokes break out, all I can do is cry:(

[conjugate]

Well, somebody's got to play pedant.

Technically, a male is "blond," not "blonde."  A female is "blonde."  So your colleague, to whom you referred as "he," is a blond, not a blonde.

Still, I would not post blond/blonde jokes on my door; I prefer The Far Side.  I think you should let it slide, however, and not raise a fuss until you either have tenure or are sure you don't want it.

[acrimone]

That sort of stuff isn't really appropriate for the office door, which really should be reserved for things like announcements, calendars, etc.

But it is his door and not yours, so the question really becomes one of "are they funny?"

Let us be frank -- there are funny blonde jokes ("51 days!") and not so funny blonde jokes ("behind her ears").

[prytania3]

I've had all the hair colors, and I am dumber as a blond. I'm blond now, btw. People took me more seriously as a brunette, and people took me more seriously as a shopper when I was a redhead.

Personally, I'd stay out of it. Chances are a student will complain.

[au_fait]

Je suis blonde, mais pas bete.

oui!

[rowan1]

you could always post a sign on his door letting all brunettes and bald folk know they can come to you to have the jokes explained.

;-)

Seriously though, just stay away from this one.

[engineer_adrift]

It is inappropriate and unprofessional behavior.  Your chair should not tolerate it. 

I like the idea of mentioning to your chair that it seems chilling to women students.  It is.

I wouldn't die on this hill, either, but I wouldn't ignore it. 

[aardvark]

you could always post a sign on his door letting all brunettes and bald folk know they can come to you to have the jokes explained.

;-)

This answer actually seems appropriate in a "diversity in the workplace" thread.  Why should the blondes get all the good jokes?