clark_monson
Je Suis Charlie
This photo was chosen for what it represents rather than its artistic merits. On the right side of this street, the Rue de Faubourg Saint-Antoine, is the 11th arrondisement of Paris. In this arrondisement at about 11:30 am this morning, two hooded gunman intimidated their way into the offices of Charlie Hebdo, a polemical, satirical weekly magazine. The magazine had previously been highly critical of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, among other targets, and had published a number of provocative covers in mockery of its targets. In retaliation for perceived slights, the gunmen shot and killed 10 staff members or associates who were present at a staff meeting, as well as two police officers assigned to protect the staff.
I don't suspect I would have been a Charlie Hebdo subscriber; their mix of anti-religious, left-wing polemics doesn't sound like my thing. But that's irrelevant. It was THEIR thing. It was their opinion. It caused no harm to others beyond hurt feelings, anger, and perhaps a little introspection. For having the effrontery to believe that in a liberal society, a person should be allowed to say anything they want--no matter how shocking, irreverent, or offensive--short of direct incitements to violence, the magazine's editor, most prominent cartoonists, and several other employees were murdered in cold blood. For doing their duty to ensure that those rights were defended, no matter how far outside the boundaries of good taste or societal approval, two police officers were executed.
I may not have agreed with any of Charlie Hebdo's polemics, but I support 100% their right to publish them. I'm very sad for their families, for their friends, for the survivors, for the city of Paris, and for the people of France. This is a dark day. I love France. I love Paris. And I particularly love freedom of speech.
For that reason, though I never imagined myself saying this, Je suis Charlie.
Je Suis Charlie
This photo was chosen for what it represents rather than its artistic merits. On the right side of this street, the Rue de Faubourg Saint-Antoine, is the 11th arrondisement of Paris. In this arrondisement at about 11:30 am this morning, two hooded gunman intimidated their way into the offices of Charlie Hebdo, a polemical, satirical weekly magazine. The magazine had previously been highly critical of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, among other targets, and had published a number of provocative covers in mockery of its targets. In retaliation for perceived slights, the gunmen shot and killed 10 staff members or associates who were present at a staff meeting, as well as two police officers assigned to protect the staff.
I don't suspect I would have been a Charlie Hebdo subscriber; their mix of anti-religious, left-wing polemics doesn't sound like my thing. But that's irrelevant. It was THEIR thing. It was their opinion. It caused no harm to others beyond hurt feelings, anger, and perhaps a little introspection. For having the effrontery to believe that in a liberal society, a person should be allowed to say anything they want--no matter how shocking, irreverent, or offensive--short of direct incitements to violence, the magazine's editor, most prominent cartoonists, and several other employees were murdered in cold blood. For doing their duty to ensure that those rights were defended, no matter how far outside the boundaries of good taste or societal approval, two police officers were executed.
I may not have agreed with any of Charlie Hebdo's polemics, but I support 100% their right to publish them. I'm very sad for their families, for their friends, for the survivors, for the city of Paris, and for the people of France. This is a dark day. I love France. I love Paris. And I particularly love freedom of speech.
For that reason, though I never imagined myself saying this, Je suis Charlie.