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Yellowstone National Park, February, 2007.
The past week’s abhorrent shootings in Paris are said to be the beginning of a new age of terrorism that some say cannot be stopped. Cities like London, New York, and Los Angeles are prime targets for insane fundamentalist activity, and there are new terror alerts posted everywhere. We’re told to be vigilant and be aware of everything that is going on around us. On my last trip on Amtrak, there were signs all over place saying, “If You See Something, Say Something,” encouraging travelers like myself to speak up about any unsettling activity they notice as we move from place to place.
I do not support or defend those who killed the French cartoonists and the hostages and I strongly believe in freedom of speech. But I’m forced to wonder that if we stopped lambasting other people’s religions, spirituality, and those who are different from us, things might change just a little bit.
I believe that much of today’s humor, like the “jokes” I heard at the Golden Globe’s on Sunday night, is shamefully distasteful. Was it really necessary to roast Bill Cosby, for his detestable behavior toward women on a program that is supposed to be celebrating creativity and brilliance? Cosby is already being punished for his acts of uninvited sexual advances, even though it hasn’t yet been proven in a court of law.
I personally do not find humor based on anger to be funny. It is hurtful.
In satire or black humor, people aren’t maimed or gunned down in hate crimes like those in Paris, but they can be hurt none-the-less. Consider the number of gay men and women, young and old, who have committed suicide because others have had “fun” calling them monsters of one sort or another.
Our country, “The Land of The Free and home of the brave,” has always had terrorists among us. There are hate crimes committed every day here, and those who commit them are not usually Muslims.
Remember the Civil Rights Movement, and the number of innocent African Americans who suffered at the hands of “upstanding, Christian” white people?
I recently spent a few days with a person who is not an American citizen. His satirical rants about “you Americans,” set my generally positive attitude towards everyone on edge. By the end of his visit I was more than a bit offended.
There are “Ugly Americans” among us, as William J. Lederer and Eugene Burdick, coined them in their book by that same title in 1958. We are just as hateful as anybody else and often behave miserably when we visit other countries. But we’re also responsible for doing great things around the world for people who are different from us.
Other countries also do great things for the world. Sometimes their people make the headlines like, Pakistani, Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel Prize laureate ever, who works on behalf of girls and women and their right to be educated. Others humbly struggle to make things right, without recognition. But those who get the most recognition, are the haters and fundamentalists who shoot and blow innocent people up.
The gathering of people and officials from all over the world, who rallied in Paris on Sunday, heartened me. What a wonderful way of bringing people of all ethnicities together in support of free speech and peace. I am ashamed, however, that our administration chose not to send a higher official to participate with the other world leaders who felt it was their duty to be there. It has been reported that Attorney General, Eric Holder, was in Paris at the time, but did not to attend.
Some of us complain about needing to be politically correct all of the time. But I believe that doing so is an act of kindness, and that we’d go a long way in diminishing some the hatred we’re witnessing in our world today, if we just a bit more careful.
If we can be kind and helpful to those around us, rather than put them down because they believe in a different God than we do, maybe we can make a difference in what happens in our world. It probably won’t stop terrorists from blowing up innocent people, but it’s a step in the right direction. By doing so, we can mend the hearts of many and take the first step in bringing peace and unity to all of the people we share our beautiful planet with.
Very well said, Joan. I am writing a blog post with a similar message.
I especially like your statement: “I personally do not find humor based on anger to be funny. It is hurtful.”
Bless you for writing a point of view that is not expressed much in the wake of the killings.
Take good care, Joan.
Thank you, Saloma. I appreciate you comment. I know there are people out there who feel the same way, but they’re being very quiet.
Joan — I, too, find “humor” at anyone’s expense despicable. Offensive “humor” is passive-aggressive behavior that’s accepted because it generates laughs. But at what cost?
Laurie, Thanks for your comment. No one seems to care about those who are hurt by insensitive remarks and behaviors.
“No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted,” said Aesop. It won’t stop the violence but the message sends positive vibes into the ether. Thanks for speaking out with a strong voice, Joan.
You are so welcome, Marian. Your words are so appreciated.
Dear Joan, I appreciate your strong, clear message and agree with your points, especially about the distasteful and hurtful use of humor. I came across this quote from Brene Brown that resonates with your message: “Whatever your daring is, however you’re trying to show up in your life, I think there’s something incredibly contagious and powerful about it. I think it makes the people around us a little bit braver and I think it helps us get very clear on the ideals and values that guide our lives.” – Brene Brown. We can influence our world in a positive way by our attitudes and behaviors toward one another. Thanks for your voice of reason and compassion in the midst of all this negative, incomprehensible news
Kathy,
Thanks so much for that quote from Brene Brown. It’s a goodie.
Negativity gets most of us down. Positivity, on the other hand brings warmth, love, and smiles. All any of us can do is set an example.
Joan, you have voiced the thoughts I have been having for a while. Like, when did it become okay to make a movie about killing an actual real human being and a political leader no less? How would our country have reacted to the release of a “comedy” based on murdering our president? I doubt the CIA would have found that amusing. These insults to others are tolerated far too often and yes, they provoke violence when instead we should be working for peace. Well, you got me started… guess I need to do a blog on this too. Thanks for motivating me!
Kathy,
Thanks so much for that quote from Brene Brown. It’s a goodie.
Negativity gets most of us down. Positivity, on the other hand brings warmth, love, and smiles. All any of us can do is set an example.
Martha,
Thanks for your comment. That “movie” was what got me going on this topic, actually. I do wonder how we and our government would react if someone did make such a movie about our president.
I glad you’re motivated to write something about it. That is what I often try to do here.
Thank you Joan, for swimming against the current. Yours is a refreshing respite. See you soon. We can talk more.
Janet, Thanks for your comment. I look forward to seeing you and talking about our world and writing very soon.
Joan, well said, well written. Yes, there are many of us who feel the same as you but have not had the courage to put our words out there. I confess my own lack of courage. Humor at another’s expense is never less than painful for the target. Thank you for stepping outside the box to write this important post.
Thanks so much, Sherrey. I try to pick my battles carefully and when I realized that no one else was taking this issue on, I felt I had to do it. It’s been bothering me for a long time and I must say I feel better having dared to speak out.
Im in awe of this write-up it is interesting, words don’t come easy but thanks!. I will be returning interested in reading more.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Do come back.