I am the jerk here?

My mom and her side is all native American. She has this feather fan on display in the living room. A bunch of us were over for dinner yesterday and I made a comment about how it looked kinky with these leather tassle things hanging from the handle. I picked it up and pretended to smack my one sister's butt with it while laughing. My mom got offended as did my oldest sister. I have 2 older sisters. I got lectured essentially. I still don't think making a joke is wrong.

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DrWatson · 70-79, M

I don't think that saying " I was just making a joke" automatically counts as a defense. Jokes can be offensive and hurtful.

If you, unknowingly, were mocking something of religious significance, why not treat this as a learning experience, apologize, and explain that now you know better?