We live in an era where the idea of what is funny to some people and what is offensive

to others seems wildly at odds.

I for one love to laugh and yet if there is anything that feels vaguely offensive, insensitive,

or just plain mean, I can't laugh at it.

It's hard for me to laugh at anything that I think disparages or hurts another human

being.

To be honest, I'm not sure if that was always the case, but now I find humor hard to stomach

if it's at the expense of someone else's humanity.

I struggle when the comedians I used to appreciate poke fun at their spouses implying they

are dumb or mean or inept, even if their spouses are laughing in the audience, even if they

and their spouses are happily caching checks.

Too much humor is actually a form of bullying.

The teasing of a child or a partner is a way of keeping them from feeling okay in their

skin.

That tired phrase, oh please, I was just kidding.

When everyone knows there were teeth to the joke, to the put down.

Right now I see what is called cancel culture getting dragged in the world of Twitter.

There seems to be some idea that people are overly sensitive and unable to take anything

lightly.

And while yes, sometimes people overreact to something slight and unintentional.

For the most part, what people are being sensitive to are, in fact, highly offensive statements.

I was once introduced at a poetry reading in the early 2000s by a white host as Ada Flores

...