Yup, cartoons. Editorial cartoons, submitted as part of a self-censorship test of all things, have sparked riots across the world. Around 10 deaths have been reported as of this morning- per the CNN.com link above. There are few words that can express the frustration and overall sense of despair I feel as I hear the reports. Cartoons. And so many wounded and offended people as a result.
Bloggers and many of the major western media outlets have spent the last few days flying the flag of freedom of speech and expression for all. Islamic groups are crying racism and prejudice. Are they both right? Is one more right than the other?
Or are they both tools to fan the flames?
There is a certain amount of insensitivity on all fronts. For too long, the newspaper in question and the Danish gov't sat on their collective asses and refused to even acknowledge the fact that they had offended anyone. A relatively peaceful, Danish-based, pro-Islamic group tried to get the newspaper, news media, or the gov't to acknowledge their feelings. They were largely ignored, so they branched out, spreading their message to the leaders Islamic nations. As the news of the Danish cartoons spread, radicals began ranting, and exaggerating what had happened. Worse and more offensive versions of the cartoons began circulating, and the protests began. But that's no excuse for those who took what should have been a debate on free speech vs. cultural racism and inflamed the masses into a rioting frenzy. Please. There is such a thing as "too far." I feel for the Muslims of Europe, who (in some cases legitimately) fear racism, especially in Denmark, where a far-right, anti-immigrant party has managed to gain a significant following. But that is No Excuse. Protests, yes. Embassies set aflame, no.
The last time I remember being this taken aback by a protest gone wrong, was the LA riots after the Rodney King verdict. Tension, racism (real and implied), and ignorant bigotry gone horribly awry. Only this time,it's on an international scale.
Not to belittle the offence that some people are feeling, but what THE HELL happened to people's sense of humor? Or sense of common respect? Hell, I get seriously irked every time I see a cartoonist depict the Catholic clergy as a bunch of depraved pedophiles, but I'm not violent about it. The news is full of the latest protests about gays in media, or the portrayal of Jesus in TV. (Yes, Book of Daniel- I mean you.) But, really?
I have to wonder what the end result will be. For years, I have admired political cartoonists for their ability to spark debate. But this scares me. Ambassadors have been recalled, diplomatic ties have been severed. And radicals on every side have sought to fan the flames of hatred. (I'm talking the flurry of retaliatory anti-Semitic cartoons and the (even more offensive) anti-Islamic cartoons that have floated since.)
The original cartoons weren't even very good. They were submitted (like what- last September?) in response to an author's fears of not being able to illustrate a children's book about Mohammed. A. CHILDREN'S. BOOK. What example does this set?
I guess, like all observers, we wait and see.
Slate.com has a good article, written by a Muslim about"Why I'm Offended"
Slate's Explainer (also available in podcast), takes on why, exactly, images of the Prophet are so inflammatory: Slate's Explainer
Added 2-15-06 Daryl Cagle (of Daryl Cagle's Professional Cartoonists Index) has been tracking the violence and protests for awhile, as well as providing links to several other sites, including places where you can see the original cartoons (if you're so inclined). Here's his blog
