The Crayon is Mightier Than The Machine Gun

“C’est peut-être un peu pompeux ce que je vais dire, mais je préfère mourir debout que vivre à genoux.”

Translated: “What I am going to say is perhaps a little pompous, but I prefer to die standing up than to live on my knees.”

Stephane Charbonnier, publisher of “Charlie Hebdo.” The magazine’s offices were fire-bombed in 2011, following which they had police protection – but continued their hard-hitting publication. (Photo: AP/Michel Euler)

These are the defiant words of Stéphane Charbonnier, 47, publisher of the satirical French magazine “Charlie Hebdo,” who was gunned down along with eight colleagues today, January 7, 2015, during an editorial meeting. Two policemen and a building maintenance worker were also killed. In 2011, the publication’s office had been firebombed after it named the Prophet Mohammed as “editor-in-chief.” But Charlie continued its work.

In a sense, political cartoonists are on the very edge of journalistic expression. They “push the envelope.” Sharply-drawn images and a heavy dose of satire add up to a heady mix. Our local cartoonists have certainly ruffled feathers on numerous occasions, and I hope they continue to do so. That is what they do. I remember puzzling over “Punch”  as a child – an English weekly satirical magazine, like “Charlie Hebdo.” My father used to read it and laugh out loud. The first issue of “Punch” was in 1841 but it finally – sadly – closed in 2002.

The Paris protests of 1968. (Photo: Bruno Barbey)

Paris is an extraordinary city, and France remains, despite the inroads of right-wing groups and political tussles of various sorts, a cosmopolitan and liberal society. Socialism (a word some Americans seem to fear) is alive and well. I heard a commentator today observe that M. Charbonnier and his team at “Charlie Hebdo” had “the spirit of September 1968.” Many of my readers may not recall, but 1968 (and that month in particular) was a time of tremendous social upheaval and student-led protests throughout Europe (and beyond). I was a teenager and a little too young, but I really admired the student demonstrators – and wished I could join them. Paris was the epicenter of it all. But France – and Paris – is facing a kind of identity crisis. Where is the “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité”?

Moving back to 2015. A flood of incredibly powerful cartoons poured onto my Twitter timeline all afternoon, from France, from everywhere. The hashtag #JeSuisCharlie (I am Charlie) proliferated. I have posted several of the cartoons below (there are many more), along with the front pages of 72 newspapers worldwide.

Sir Salman Rushdie was a special guest at last year’s Calabash International Literary Festival in Treasure Beach, Jamaica. (Photo: Gleaner)

British Indian writer Sir Ahmed Salman Rushdie issued this statement after the massacre: “Religion, a mediaeval form of unreason, when combined with modern weaponry becomes a real threat to our freedoms. This religious totalitarianism has caused a deadly mutation in the heart of Islam and we see the tragic consequences in Paris today. I stand with Charlie Hebdo, as we all must, to defend the art of satire, which has always been a force for liberty and against tyranny, dishonesty and stupidity. ‘Respect for religion’ has become a code phrase meaning ‘fear of religion.’ Religions, like all other ideas, deserve criticism, satire, and, yes, our fearless disrespect.”

I agree with every word – thank you, Sir.

I was also glad to see the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) statement on their Facebook page (edited slightly):

“The Press Association of Jamaica wishes to extend its deepest sympathies to the people and government of France, on the occasion of today’s shocking attack on the staff of the French magazine Charlie Hebdo…We deeply deplore the loss of life and the injuries suffered by all the victims. The PAJ regards this as an attack upon democracy and freedom of the press, which must be of concern to all who support these important values anywhere in the world. We stand with our colleagues in France as we condemn this violent attack and reiterate the importance of guarding democracy and protecting the press from intimidation.”

Reposez en paix.

Rest in peace.

 

“This is not a religion.” A cartoon from Belgium.

The front pages of 72 newspapers worldwide.

 

Cartoon posted by Alex Green.