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It would appear that free speech is quite alive and well in France, as the following news article appears to demonstrate.
You can read more here on the Dutch cartoonist who survived the shootings at Charlie for he did not go to the meeting at the office that horrible day when a police officer, a janitor and ten writers and artists at Charlie were murdered…
and see how it goes for him now… keeping in mind, I think, that grief takes many forms depending on the person, in the early days after abject loss. Just an observation.
The issues are not simple.And not limited to those about ‘free speech’ or murderers using Islam as their rationale.
There are many many points of view to consider. The hashtag “I am Charlie,” Je suis Charlie…
I have many wonderings…
such as, ought there not be equal demonstration/ hashtag to ‘I am Jewish,’ given the attack on peaceful Jewish store in Paris in which the murderer killed four innocent persons right before shabat?
I have other wonderings about how attacks of any kind, in words, in deeds, actually further long term decency and peace amongst humans, what actual effective and useful and visible changes for the better come to each of us individually, to our families, to our communities, to our nations.
I wonder what actually causes change for the better in words and actions and deeds between persons of reason. I think of Martin. I think of Madiba. I think of the grandmothers and grandfathers of the world who keep the heart of the family alive. I see the devastations first hand in my work as a post-trauma recovery specialist. I also see darker factors ongoing, as well as helpful gifts offered by many to contain and to ease the swell, and sometimes the swill.
I wonder often, does not everyone have a say, a place that is useful, that helps to live and let live so all can live?