This is a glorious example of what Ive been looking for in response to the Charlie Hebdo massacre. Every word of this is concise, thoughtful, and creates space for many important discussions. It is a must-must-read. One of many gems, an excerpt from the 7th talking point: 7. Context is not apology. This is perhaps the most sensitive of the points. There is no point apologizing for actions that deserve no defense. The shooting of artists, satirists, journalists, heck, the shooting of any human being, is an atrocity that stands as its own condemnation. To ask for, insist upon, and provide context, however, is part of what we are called to do. No event, no human being, no action stands alone. And even this vile action in Paris — just like the vile actions of 9/11, or the wars in Middle East — all take place in a broader context. French Muslims are not a random collection of Muslims. They hail from Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, places that were colonized by the French for decades. They are, in a real sense, the children of the colonies. The traumas of the French Muslim population today are linked to and an extension of the violence inflicted by the French on Muslims colonized for decades. No empire (including the American empire) likes to be reminded of its colonial practices, but the truth must be spoken. (Many thanks to Jessica Zou.) Please keep these coming my way as you find them, yall.
Posted on: Fri, 09 Jan 2015 17:53:26 +0000