The Paris Terrorist Attacks: Why We Are Not "Charlie"
We Are NOT Charlie Hebdo - click here: http://youtu.be/c44b7SouKFY
Many of us are politically correct; if you openly criticize Islam, you might be called a bigot. You'll be ostracized by your liberal friends, you won't be invited to the good cocktail parties, and your chances of being seen an important cog in new york or london society will evaporate. You won't get tenure, book deals, or acceptance within literary circles. The list goes on. But using these things as an excuse not to speak up is cowardice. Criticizing a religion does not make you a bigot - not as long as you do it with intellectual honesty and respect. Drawing cartoons, lampooning or satirizing a religion doesn't make you a bigot; this is an ancient way of making valid intellectual arguments. But we don't do this; we fail to defend those of us who take such a stand.
That's why we're not Charlie. But we can change.
Many of us are politically correct; if you openly criticize Islam, you might be called a bigot. You'll be ostracized by your liberal friends, you won't be invited to the good cocktail parties, and your chances of being seen an important cog in new york or london society will evaporate. You won't get tenure, book deals, or acceptance within literary circles. The list goes on. But using these things as an excuse not to speak up is cowardice. Criticizing a religion does not make you a bigot - not as long as you do it with intellectual honesty and respect. Drawing cartoons, lampooning or satirizing a religion doesn't make you a bigot; this is an ancient way of making valid intellectual arguments. But we don't do this; we fail to defend those of us who take such a stand.
That's why we're not Charlie. But we can change.
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