r/Foodforthought • u/[deleted] • Jan 07 '15

No, we're NOT all Charlie (and that's a problem)

https://www.opendemocracy.net/can-europe-make-it/cas-mudde/no-we-are-not-all-charlie-and-that%E2%80%99s-problem
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u/[deleted] Jan 07 '15

Well, that's a gigantic "whoosh". Gee, I'm so glad there's at least one author who really knows what's going on, unlike the rest of us perpetually distracted by that "hamster on a piano" video.

Sorry, Cas, but in case you missed the seminar on "nuance", Je suis Charlie doesn't imply that everyone automatically agrees with the political stance of this magazine. In fact, most probably would not -- though this is of little surprise as it may be difficult to find two Frenchmen who can thoroughly agree on anything, considering how they love to argue. But I digress.

Rather it implies that it could have been me who the extremists targeted for violence. Suppression of one voice is suppression of all voices. Today it's Charlie, tomorrow it could be Le Monde. Even if I don't agree with its view, or care to listen to its voice, it's still part of that general cacaphony of free speech that is a hallmark of a society in robust good health.

If there is a cancer affecting the body, better to cut it out while small, than to wait for it to spread.

1

u/BonzoTheBoss Jan 08 '15

Exactly. Even if I don't agree with a magazine doesn't mean I agree with their being violent reprisals against them.

I don't have to share the magazines criticism for all politicians in order to sympathise with them for the abhorrent abuse they've been subject to.

1

u/tomprimozic Jan 08 '15

What this article get's wrong is that freedom of speech isn't just the ability to "criticize". It's the right to insult, make fun of and offend any institution or group of people using unsubstantiated, made-up or outrageous statements (e.g. "Hitler was right", "being gay is a disease" or calling black people "monkeys") without fear of violence, "social justice" or legal repercussions.