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.