You Think It’s Funny?
I did not plan on this post today. I have another put together that I was going to post, then something happened. I didn’t get much sleep last night as my heart was broken. I woke up this morning the way I went to sleep last night, my heart aching and tears in my eyes. I went to Writer’s Circle last night and the theme was April Fools Day. I don’t do April Fools Day and therefore I didn’t write anything for it. I read a few of my old standards as a friend had come to hear me read (he wanted to see if I sound like Dolly Parton). Then another writer who had to pop out early asked me to read her April Fools piece simply called Fool. I read it through and found we both share a similar view of things and I happily read the poem. Most of the “antics” at Muse Harbor were in the form of puns (mostly from the comical host) and fitting limericks.
Later last night I was taken back in my feelings to when I was a kid. My pulse was racing and I was quite flustered. I made it through the event and then somehow, I made it through the night. When I finally got out of bed and turned on the news I heard another disturbing story. It was reported, for the second time in a week, that a teen had committed suicide due to teasing and bullying. Everything from the night before and from my youth came flooding back to me. It seems we don’t usually hear about it in the news that a child has been tormented and teased unless they deal with it outwardly by taking a gun and shooting those who have terrorized them. We tend to ignore or sweep under the rug those who can take no more of the teasing (even if it is said to be done in fun) and they take their own life.
Jokes and pranks should not hurt or harm. Comedy is the same. But it seems more and more (especially in the United States) that the only way to have a laugh is to cause pain to someone else. I try to just roll with it when others find they need to disrespect me or do things they know I do not like. I do this because all my life those who cause me pain follow my complaints with “you need to lighten up” or “we are just having fun and joking”. In other words, the person being tormented is accused of causing the pain because the terrorists mean it as a joke only. Double whammy. How is it funny when you cause another human being to cry themselves to sleep? How is it funny if the one you torment has finally had enough and returns with a gun to make the pain (you) go away? How is it funny when the one being tormented has finally stepped over the edge and they take away your source of entertainment by eliminating themselves?
Jokes and having fun should not be at the expense of someone else and their feelings. Let me repeat that. Jokes and having fun should NEVER be at the expense of someone else and their feelings. If you see what you presume to be a weakness in another person, it is your duty as a human being to help that person to strengthen it and build them up. But instead, you find it funny to use that weakness against them. Just because they don’t like your abuse and terrorizing ways does not make them less a person then you. Try complimenting and treating others with respect, the same respect you demand for yourself. No, I do not like April 1st. Too many fools think they have free license to torment and terrorize other human beings and those human beings are supposed to accept it and like it because it is in the name of fun and April Fools Day.
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