I Hear America Laughing
I hear America laughing, a contagious melody of delight
Jokes and songs and amusing things, finding pleasure in the simple joys of life
But we do not laugh at racism, inequality, or discrimination
We find no entertainment in injustice or bigotry
So, why then, do we laugh at the gay high school boy who is harassed, teased, and abused?
Why, then, do we laugh at the elementary school girl, whose only crime is having two mothers?
A boss, firing his best employee for loving another man
A parent, disowning her daughter for loving another woman
A teenager, hiding behind the mask of heterosexuality in return for a respectable place in society
If this is wrong, why do we laugh silently?
And if this is right, then is love wrong?
Let it be that our laughter stands not for ridicule but for love - one love for all.