Charlie Hebdo.
A week ago, I'd never heard of this magazine. If you had asked me who or what Charlie Hebdo was, I would have guessed something like a contestant on a reality show. Now, it's become a symbol of standing in the face of fear. Just to recap, the magazine, which is known for is satirical cartoons, was targeted by two gunmen, who killed four of the publication's artists.
I've been thinking a lot about this terrorist attack over the past week. I can't imagine someone hating something I'd done so much that they'd try to kill me. One of the things that bothers me about it is that the attackers were apparently Muslims and used their religion as a reason to murder people. I don't understand that mindset. Granted, I've not read the Koran, nor am I even familiar with it. But most religions don't condone murder. I heard a Muslim on the radio talking about the attack, and they didn't sound like the Koran says murder is OK. It seems it's just the extreme Muslims who subscribe to that. You don't hear about Christians opening fire on a publication that mocked Jesus. Or Buddhists killing people who made fun of the Buddha. Why are some people so quick to take offense? Any why do they feel that death is the only solution? Can't they calmly share their viewpoint and come to a meeting of the minds with the person they think was being offensive?
I was impressed with the people who gathered to march and defend freedom of speech. I was disappointed that the United States wasn't well represented. Where were our leaders? Maybe they were concerned about security or something - I don't know. It doesn't really matter. Our ambassador to France was there, but we needed someone with a little more clout, I think. Especially since freedom of speech is in the First Amendment.
As a reporter, I believe maintaining free speech is important. We get letters to the editor fairly regularly, and I don't always agree with the person writing them. Sometimes they are taking issue with what was said in our paper. Other times they're critical of one of our staff. But that's the foundation of free speech. You can have your opinion. I can have mine. We may agree. We may not. But I seriously doubt either one of us is going to attempt murder over it.
