Humor in Tragedy / Art after Srebrenica

Like Sarajevans and Mostaris, I've long held the disquieting trait of laughing at tragedy and disaster.  Watching planes play into iconic buildings nine years ago brought this into a public forum where I was repeatedly accused of being uncaring, un-American, inhuman.  To theose folks, I merely laughed harder.  They didn't understand the complexities of emotion, preferring to, perhaps, be spoon-fed what they should feel via CNN, Fox, or Steven Speilberg-types.

After visiting Srebrenica last week, this trait was tested.  I barely had words to speak about it (still, I do not have words to express much at all about that place, that history), let alone the ability to laugh.

Yet...

I mentioned this to someone the other evening and immediately a joke sprang to mind.

Q: How many Srebenicans does it take to screw in a light bulb?

A: They don't need a lightbulb.  Srebrenicans are protected by UN Dutchbats against the Dark.

And thus there is humor, as well as art, even after Srebrenica.



~*~