We Need Laughter More Than Ever.

 

As a society, we are going through difficult times. Economic hardships, anxiety about the future, debates over justice, and the high cost of living are increasing the burden on people's shoulders every day. In homes, the struggle to make ends meet is discussed, young people worry about their future, and retirees are fighting for survival.

 

In such a heavy atmosphere, one of the things people need most is to be able to forget their troubles and laugh, even if only for a few hours.

 

Unfortunately, today in Turkey, both laughing and making others laugh have almost become acts requiring courage.

 

Why Has Tolerance Decreased So Much?

 

Today, on the street, in traffic, at the market, in hospitals, and on public transport, people are behaving more angrily, impatiently, and intolerantly towards each other. Even among young people, tolerance is sometimes replaced by anger and polarization.

 

Of course, there isn't just one reason for this. Economic difficulties, anxiety about the future, social polarization, and constant tensions also affect people's state of mind. However, none of this changes the importance of showing respect to each other and tolerating different ideas.

 

Humor is the Mirror of Society

 

The recent developments concerning Deniz Göktaş have reopened the debate on freedom of expression and the limits of humor.

 

Turkey has a strong tradition of humor. Following master names like Cem Yılmaz, Ata Demirer, Yılmaz Erdoğan, Tolga Çevik, and Şahan Gökbakar, today's younger generation of comedians such as Hasan Can Kaya, Doğu Demirkol, Mesut Süre, Baturay Özdemir, Feyyaz Yiğit, and Deniz Göktaş are also trying to make people laugh, think, and hold a mirror up to society.

 

The Biggest Difference Between Us and Europe

 

In many European countries, politicians, artists, and public figures can be subjects of humor. People may not like every joke; they criticize, object, or even protest. However, most of the time, this is approached within the bounds of law and freedom of expression.

 

The strength of democracy comes not only from elections but also from the free existence of different ideas, art, and humor.

 

Atatürk's Value for Art

 

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of our Republic, explained the importance of art with these words:

"A nation that remains without art has had one of its lifelines severed."

He expressed the artist's place in society with these words:

 

"All of you can be members of parliament, you can be ministers, you can even be president; but you cannot be artists."

 

A Society That Loses Its Laughter Cannot Be Happy

 

No one is obliged to like every piece of humor. However, for a society to develop, it must make room for criticism, art, and humor.

 

Perhaps what we need most today is to stop seeing each other as enemies, to respect different ideas, to be able to talk again, and to be able to smile again.

 

Because a society that loses its laughter eventually loses its hope.



 

Temel IŞIK / ha-ber.com