The Editor, Sir:

Please permit me to share some thoughts about laughter with your readers with the hope that as a people, we will laugh responsibly and refrain from hurting others while we take the best medicine. Laughing irresponsibly can result in violence and even death.

I agree with Dr. Annette Goodheart that in our desperation to find ways to laugh and thus relieve our tension, we often don't distinguish between laughter that heals and laughter that hurts. Some of the most common vehicles we use to stimulate laughter - jokes and teasing - have tremendous power to injure others because they are based on ridicule. Therefore, laughter is not always the best medicine. Ridicule doesn't unite us. It builds resentment and hate.

Laughter is natural

Some people enjoy ridiculing others and will dismiss my admonition to refrain from this practice. I would like these people to listen to Elmer Wheeler who says "The real wit tells jokes to make others feel superior, while the half-wit tells them to make others feel small". There is a distinction between laughter and humour. Laughter is natural, but humour is learnt.

Laughter is a wonderful thing. As a matter of fact, research has shown that laughter boosts the immune system. I am no kill joy. However, I have seen enough fights, heard enough quarrels, and encountered enough people with low self esteem because they have been objects of ridicule. Some people go as far as bleaching their 'too black' skin. Some ridicule themselves before others do, so that they can be in control. Let us laugh in love and unity. When we laugh the world laughs with us. Laughter is contagious. Let's be sagacious and laugh responsibly.

I am, etc.,

WINNIE ANDERSON-BROWN

winab@cwjamaica.com

A certified Laughter Yoga Leader