Gallows humor is
nothing new to Venezuelans. We have been making jokes about our increasingly
precarious situation from the beginning of time. The decline of our country has
put to test the notion that Venezuelans are the happiest people in the world
and we have proven that we are! Somehow, and against all odds, we find a way to
laugh at our misfortunes.
So what exactly is
gallows humor? Picture William Palmer the murderer walking towards the gallows
at his public execution, looking down at the trapdoor and asking his
executioner, "Are you sure it's safe?"
According to Freud, through
gallows humor the “ego insists it cannot be affected by the traumas of the
external world and shows that such traumas are no more than occasions for
pleasure”. It is an outlet that momentarily strengthens the morale of the
oppressed and undermines that of the oppressor.
I excuse myself beforehand
for not explaining in detail what is taking place here, in Venezuela. For it is
the inability to grasp and therefore to explain that has kept me back from
writing about life here. Although my political inclinations might resonate in
these short stories, they are not meant to be partisan. This is just my way of
venting and trying to comprehend what is happening around me. My only goal is
that these short stories make my readers laugh.
“To be able to laugh at
evil and error means we have surmounted them” Wylie Sypher.
Where can I buy Tylenol seeds?
The shortages taking place in Venezuela across many product categories
is not news. We have flooded the world with pictures of the empty aisles and long
lines of people hoping to buy basic food stuff. Although people speak mostly of
food, medical shortages have been the most detrimental for the population,
especially when we were hit with the Chikungunya which is a virus transmitted
by two types of mosquitos during the rainy season. The infection consist of
sudden fever lasting two to seven days and joint pains that can
linger for months or years. Although there is no treatment for the virus, the
symptoms can be alleviated by products containing acetaminophen that reduce the
fever and pain. During that time, Venezuelans went from pharmacy to pharmacy
trying to locate a box of acetaminophen to help ease the pain of their sick
children or elderly parents. It was chaos.
Last weekend, Rona del
Valle Gomez, a university professor and pre candidate to the United Socialist
Political Party (PSUV) made a public speech offering new solutions to the
shortage of medicines such as acetaminophen (generic Tylenol). In the speech
she explained that such shortages are a result of people hoarding the products
and the transnational companies which have made Venezuelans dependent on the
importation. Although her reasoning is beyond my comprehension, Rona also urged
Venezuelan to return to their roots, to cure their children by doing what our great-grandmothers
used to do when people got ill: they planted an acetaminophen plant in
their homes and made an infusion (a.k.a guarapo) for their children when they
had a fever. Although her speech was eye-opening she failed to answer a very important
question: Where can I buy Tylenol seeds?
Ironically, our soil
has never been more fertile because of all the bull shit the government spews
daily. I am certain that if I can locate the seeds, these future Tylenol plants
will grow to tremendous proportions dwarfing even the mightiest Redwood.
