For some time now, I have been observing a kind of “new trend,” not only in social networks but also in everyday life. And, I must confess that I am unable to adapt to it. This practice, disguised as ‘comedy’, turns everything into a joke, even what shouldn't be.
Today, making “funny” posts, videos and images is normal. That's not to say that it's wrong, nor that I've ever laughed at everyday situations, reflected through humorous and entertaining content. But to what extent, in these cases, can we differentiate the funny from the offensive?
We often read and hear racist, homophobic, denigrating comments, and even comments about serious and delicate situations, covered by the veil of supposedly black humor. This concept often conceals insults, discrimination, and superficiality. I understand that the line in these matters is a delicate and fragile one because what for many is simple satire, for others could be considered a grievance. Are we aware of the consequences it can have?
For example, most are surely aware of the death of Cuban-born singer José Manuel Carbajal Zaldívar (El Taiger), a resident of the United States, who did not survive after being shot in the skull. During the days in which he fought for his life, we put aside our musical preferences to offer support, and comfort and even accompany with our wishes and prayers someone who, no matter what, was only a human being.
Too bad that, in equal measure, a wave of memes appeared on digital platforms with mocking situations and speculations about the incident - still not clarified by the authorities. It begs the question: how can something like this cause them to laugh, if it was a relative of theirs, would they see it in the same way? I'm sure they wouldn't.
In other cases, skin color is at the center of these demonstrations. It seems that the suffering of the slaves and the constant struggle of the black community are the subject of memes. Linking people of African descent with crime is one of the most frequent and popular. Normalizing racism and stereotypes seems to be fashionable. Likewise, other topics such as disabilities, anti-feminism, and the LGBTIQ+ community... cannot be left out.
The problem, in my opinion, is a lack of empathy. We can't go around hurting and offending, and then justifying it with ‘Oh it's just humor, don't get hurt’. It turns out that there is something called mutual respect and it serves to maintain social order. What will the new generations learn then? Is that what we want to teach them?
My aim is not to judge anyone, but to invite awareness of our actions and their short and long-term consequences. If we continue to normalize and minimize the pain of minorities, of vulnerable communities, we will be perpetuating stigmas and throwing away years of efforts, for causes that can undoubtedly be changed. Laughing at these problems helps no one, not even ourselves; on the contrary, it detracts from the seriousness and validity of the battles of those who have truly suffered.
I urge comedians, creators, and users of different digital platforms to use this medium of expression to challenge prejudices rather than prolong them, advocating for healthier and more open entertainment. I also encourage them to reflect on the impact of their work, to review material before sharing it, and to consider how different audiences might receive it.
While dark humor can be a form of liberation and social critique, its misuse only creates wounds in the collective fabric. Laughter should not be at the expense of the dignity of others; instead, we must transform it towards celebrating diversity and promoting understanding. Only in this way can we build a more inclusive and respectful society, where good comedy is a vehicle for unity and not division.
