It sometimes surprises people that we value humor here, but we’re grassroots activists who thrive on irreverance and an appreciation of the absurd. As we say in the introduction to the “Humor” section of our website:
…we maintain that humor is a great defense in terms of our stress level, and it can be used offensively as well. We’re fans of the famous — or infamous — community organizer Saul Alinsky. It’s no accident that he considered “irreverence” and “a sense of humor” as two extremely important qualities in activists and organizers. The ability to ridicule and laugh at the bigotry and “better dead than disabled” rhetoric that pervades our world keeps us fresh and ready for the new day and the next step in the struggle.
Finding topical things that cause those of us around here to laugh are a cause for celebration. This latest is from The Onion – “America’s Finest News Source:”
Suicide Note Makes Convincing Case
(excerpt)
SHERMAN OAKS, CA—Though friends and family of Michael Swinton, 15, were initially devastasted upon hearing the news of his recent suicide, many agreed Thursday that the explanatory note he penned prior to his death made surprisingly compelling points supporting his decision to take his own life.“At first, all I could think was what a tragedy it was that he’d thrown away his life like this,” said Swinton’s mother, Debra. “But I was ultimately swayed by the part in which he talked about how he no longer wanted to be an emotional burden on everyone, and how everything would be easier if he were gone. It’s hard to argue with that kind of logic.”
What struck me is how skillfully the Onion staff combined the traditional coverage of the suicide of a teenager with the increasingly popular story that validates the suicides of old, ill and disabled people. The result is painful – because we have seen these quotes and sentiments before – but they’ve been put into an unexpected context.
This isn’t the first time that the staff at the Onion has shown it’s skill at satirizing stock coverage of one of our issues. For example, their 1997 article, ‘Vehicular Manslaughter Doctor’ Assists In 23rd Doctor-Assisted Vehicular Manslaughter, perfectly captures a typical maintream media treatment of Kevorkian, down to the “experts” quoted and the types of things they say:
(excerpt)
GRAND RAPIDS, MI—Dr. James Munson, known to millions as the infamous “vehicular manslaughter doctor,” participated in his 23rd doctor-assisted vehicular manslaughter Monday, running over an 81-year-old Michigan woman.Munson, who was arrested and charged with first-degree vehicular manslaughter in the incident, hit Mildred Peters of Portage, MI, with his 1994 Ford Escort in a supermarket parking lot, killing her instantly.
“She was clearly in terrible pain,” said Munson, who did not know the woman. “She was moving very slowly, and it was a struggle for her just to push the shopping cart to her car. I don’t even think she would have been able to lift her groceries into the trunk without help. All this woman wanted was to die in a dignified, painless manner. Thank God I was able to give her that chance.”
So read, enjoy and laugh a little. We’ll get back to being serious tomorrow. –Stephen Drake