I wrote about it in the heat of the moment, yet I feel I need to say more. We all need to think about it, and to discuss the various issues it raises.
We all need to talk about Charlie.
We take freedom of speech for granted. It has been enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
"Article 18: Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Article 19: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers." (Emphasis mine).
Charlie Hebdo journalists and cartoonists oppose racism, the military, religions, and usually the government. They express these opinions in a satyrical way that most people have, at some point or another, found offensive. They profess a desire to make fun of everything and everyone, and to have a good laugh. Yet, they stir up debate and reflexion about issues they feel are important, which makes their contribution helpful. And above all, their right to do so is stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
On the other hand, caricatures of that kind often seem designed to provoke outrage and anger. They can serve a purpose to a certain extend, as I said above; but it's not always the case. It does, at times, feel like outright, wilful disrespect. I think we should all exercise our freedom of expression with wisdom. If what we express only serves to cause hurt or anger, maybe we should think twice. Maybe, just maybe we should exercise kindness as well as freedom. In French we have a saying: "My freedom stops where yours begins". It implies that if exercising my freedom is done at the expense of someone else, then I mustn't.
Those who disapprove of Charlie Hebdo's tone or ideas have a right to express their dislike. I'm a Christian; I have found some of their cartoons deeply offensive, while aknowledging their right to publish them. My own beliefs, as well as the beliefs of Muslims worldwide, are similarly protected by the Human Rights Declaration. We have a right to feel offended or hurt.
However, does that justify a violent response in any way?
No! A thousand times no!
I have found a paraphrase of my French saying on the web. "The right to swing my fist ends where the other man's nose begins." Its origin isn't entirely clear, but that's beside the point. To me, violence is never the right response. Man has tried to solve problems with violence since the dawn of times, and it has never worked - it only creates a vicious circle of hurt and destruction.
Moreover, what happened on 7 January only feeds the arguments of racists and islamophobes. I fear the impact this tragedy will have on the Muslim community: more alienation, distrust, and discrimination, leading to hurt and anger - a fertile soil for more terrorist wannabes, hijacked by clever hate preachers. Violence breeds violence.
I hope the voices of peaceful Muslims will drown out the voices of islamic terrorists. I hope the voice of open-minded, friendly people will drown out the voices of racists.
To satirical cartoonists in the vein of Charlie Hebdo, I say: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
To Muslims everywhere, I say: "I'll walk with you".
When the dumb and unhelpful trailer "The Innocence of Muslims" came out, Belgian cartoonist Kroll responded to outraged Muslims with this: "But... if I don't like a movie, I just don't go see it, that's all"
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