tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630647191424397375.post2541805218209544201..comments2023-07-11T09:31:58.924+01:00Comments on The Chimping Dandy: But it’s not a perfect world.The Chimping Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07500713162275903317noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630647191424397375.post-3972605895423664492015-01-08T20:26:31.340+00:002015-01-08T20:26:31.340+00:00Interesting Rob. I'm glad you mentioned Ahmed....Interesting Rob. I'm glad you mentioned Ahmed. I've been reflecting on the irony of it.<br /><br />I saw an interview with Stephane ‘Charb’ Charbonnier in which he said that he would rather die that 'live like a rat' and not have freedom of speech. I think I've quoted him correctly - and I hope he meant it. And I hope he was also speaking for his team, the janitor, the Police Officers etc.<br /><br />Charlie's cartoons are deeply offensive. I find that. They know that. That is their intention, history - their 'raison d'etre'. They have wilfully and intentionally offended, humiliated and taunted ordinary Muslims - their fellow French citizens - for very many years. They overstepped the mark, over and over. They depict the Prophet Mohamed (pbuh) naked, in compromising positions - this, to a faith group who find ANY visual image of him greatly offensive. Charlie refused to comply with Police advice. They incited religious hatred. They poked the crocodile, in Rob's analogy. I would suggest that, in the UK, these cartoons would not have seen the light of day. And rightly so. In my opinion.<br /><br />None of this - in fact nothing at all - justifies this vile act of terrorism, of murder. Nothing. Ever.<br /><br />But, with 'freedom of speech' comes a certain level of 'responsibility'. Rights and responsibilities. That's the deal. Charlie claim to satirise everyone equally. But it's not equal, is it? Because when you target a minority group who are already marginalised and discriminated against, it's not the same as targeting the majority. It's not funny. It's not fair. It's bullying, taunting, humiliating, it's just plain wrong. <br /><br />Every time an act of terrorism is undertaken by some extremist criminals, the State use it as a cover to introduce draconian laws, limit our freedom, make us fearful and further control the population at large. Right-Wing parties use it to further their racist, anti-immigrant, Islamophobic agendas. Ordinary people turn against ordinary people - because of the colour of their skins, the clothes they wear, the method of their prayer. Ordinary people suffer - community cohesion suffers. And that makes me angry. <br /><br />This is not about Islam. These are not Muslims. These are terrorists, criminals, murderers. And we - people of all faiths and none - need to stand shoulder to shoulder against them. And, maybe we need to let our Muslim neighbours know that we will not allow our communities, our Country to be polarised.<br /><br />Are we living in a radically different world than we were 10 years ago? Probably not. The internet and social media makes it easy for disenfranchised, angry, young loners to hook up with others like them - distance being no object. You can be a radical from your bedroom, unbeknown to your family, friends and flat-mates. In our day, we had to get dressed and go out to a demo - chances are Mum would see us making our placards and word would get back to Dad anyway! Or, at least, that was my experience. Young people - young men - probably feel more marginalised, despondent over their futures, vulnerable. And there is, of course, the small matter of Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Israel, Palestine, the Arab Spring (the www and twitter again!). But, given our cultural and religious mix and the (predominantly anti-Muslim) conflicts of recent years, it's a credit to our security forces, community leaders and population at large that we do get on so well together. In my opinion.<br /><br />Carrie<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com