The second is that there is already an enormous pressure, in this context, to defend Charlie Hebdo as a foreful exponent of Western values, or in some cases even as a brilliantly radical bastion of left-wing anti-clericalism. (This pressure will be even more keenly felt if, as I am hearing, some of the journalists are themselves members of the organised French left.) Now, I think theres a critical difference between solidarity with the journalists who were attacked, refusing to concede anything to the idea that journalists are somehow legitimate targets, and solidarity with what is frankly a racist publication. I will not waste time arguing over this point here: I simply take it as read that - irrespective of whatever else it does, and whatever valid comment it makes - the way in which that publication represents Islam is racist. If you need to be convinced of this, then I suggest you do your research, beginning with reading Edward Saids Orientalism, as well as some basic introductory texts on Islamophobia, and then come back to the conversation. leninology.co.uk/2015/01/charlie-hebdo.html
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 16:09:27 +0000
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