So I've found yet another article involving France, Islam, and the controversy involved. Recently, a French newspaper called "Charlie Hebdo", known for it's satirical comics and caricatures, created a series of comic panels that parodied the whole anti-Islam film controversy and Muhammad himself. It features, fore example, Muhammad in sexual positions with captions such as "Muhammad: a star is born!" and a scene of filming the actual film, with an actor askign as to why he needs to have sex with the head of a pig, with the director replying "I don't have the money for a 9-year-old hooker!" (This could be slightly off, as I only am using a rough translation from google and the translation of a friend who took a few years of French. But you get the main idea.) These comics, too, used the face of Muhammad.
Obviously, these comics have only added to the anger and riots down in the Middle East.
This comic has raised some questions on freedom of speech. Should comics as offensive as this be banned/censored? They have the potential to cause extreme anger, and potentially even injuries and death, like the original film did. These comics were made for the purpose of causing controversy. Should this be restrained, even if it means going against basic principles of freedom of speech? This can even relate to trolling on the internet. Should we allow for vulgar and disrespectful statements even if their is no clear purpose beyond the fact it sparks controversy and discontent?
I believe that the comics should be allowed. Even though I think that making the comics just to add even more tension to an already upsetting controversy is a really poor decision on the editor/illustrator's part, whether or not it was their purpose, it is a strong reminder that we can say such things. Restraining the ideas of others takes away from their ability to express their beliefs. Perhaps there was an underlying, stronger purpose for the comics beyond controversy. And even if there wasn't, to not allow someone to voice an opinion goes against basic, fundamental ideas of democracy, basic principles of what was fought for (And is still fought for). People have the right to be offensive. Though I believe rudeness and offensiveness should be fought, to simply take the freedom to be offensive solves nothing. It's like the 1920s prohibition all over again. People will continue to voice opinions, despite restraints. People like to say things.People like to have, and deserve their freedoms. We can steer people to go along with what is right, but to force it won't solve the issue. I think the comics were a poor choice to publish, but I don't think because of that they shouldn't have been published at all. In a positive sense, the comics are a reminder of fights fought for freedom of expression in the past, and of the issues we face today with Islam Extremists.
But what do you think? Should there be a ban on offensive comics, and if so, why? Do you think they should at least be censored? What to you defines the balance between safety and freedom? If you know more about this Charlie Hebdo newspaper, do you know of what their other comics are like and if it has sparked controversy in the past? Feel free to post any comments below.
For more information, check out: http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2012/0919/Charlie-Hebdo-s-Muhammad-cartoons-a-headache-for-Hollande
I do and I don't believe there should be a ban. I mean,it would be nice if everyone could have some form of common sense when creating potentially controversial things like this, but unfortunately, there are people with no such sense. And, like you alluded to, people will automatically want to do the exact same thing that you tell them not to do. So, if there was a ban and/or censorship, problems such as these would probably get worse. But since there isn't anything like that, it allows ignorant and arrogant people to cause destruction and havoc in their own way.I guess what I'm trying to say is that there really isn't an absolute solution. As for the balance between safety and freedom, it's a very fine line that is extremely difficult to tread.
ReplyDeleteI believe the comic, from what I heard, was actually geared towards the movie, but I definitely understand how it could be taken as a deep insult to the Islamic faith. I don't believe there should be a ban, however. That would infringe on freedom, which is what we are trying to spread around the world. Going against that would make us hypocrites, and nobody likes hypocrites.
ReplyDeleteGreat topic! Very clear opinion and I like how you present the questions. This is such a hard topic, I do not think that these cartoons should be banned. Just as Mohammed is sacred to Muslims, freedom of speech is sacred to Americans. We need to work on understanding each other's values not banning people's expression.
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