The freedom of speech could possibly be the most vital thread to liberal cultures.  One cannot profess themselves a liberal or a supporter of democracy if they do not support the freedom of speech; they go hand-in-hand and we all got to pick sides on Jan. 7.

The attacks from the self-professed members of al-Qaeda on the French satirical newspaper, Charlie Hebdo that left 12 dead gave the world another taste of what intolerance will do.  Eleven men died, the twelfth an on duty police officer, because of their cartoon portrayal of the Prophet Muhammad which is considered blasphemous in Islam.

Once the dust settled and the attackers were finally killed in a kosher deli, the debate on whether the publication went too far and provoked the attack began

If someone were to put any of the blame on the cartoonists or editors, I would say shame on them.  I honestly compare that to blaming the victim of rape.  It is disrespectful and simply wrong.

The freedom of speech is the freedom to be disrespectful no matter how bad that may sound.  In France’s, Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, it states that “The free communication of thoughts and of opinions is one of the most precious rights of man: any citizen thus may speak, write, print freely” including the Pleven Act of 1972 which “prohibits incitement to hatred, discrimination, slander and racial insults”, none of which happened.

Simply because a group holds a person or image to a holy standard does mean that another individual must follow.  Pope Francis said “one cannot make fun of faith”. Why not?  Once we begin the “but-brigade”, we lose our liberal values.  “You can say anything, but don’t touch that”.

What kind of world do we live in when someone has to fear for their lives when they make a joke?

Many who are familiar with this situation have likely heard the phrase je suis Charlie (I am Charlie) in support of the publication, but more importantly the freedom they have to write, draw, and express their opinions.  With this phrase going global and creating a tide of support, je ne suis pas charlie (I am not Charlie) became a popular counter.  To those sporting the phrase I ask, who are you supporting? To me it makes no sense to  try and justify the murders. It would be deeming the publication as egging the attackers on.

The publication can essentially be compared to “South Park” and “Family Guy”, both popular in the United States.  The purpose of these shows or publications is to be crude, satirical, and create some sort of controversy. They do their job and they do it well. The same is done in politics, the only difference is no one (except Sarah Silverman) worships Obama. What would a polite political cartoon look like?  It’s the same thing, just a different subject.

Standing up to those who want to kill because their feelings get hurt is more important than worrying about their feelings.  We must stop equating Charlie Hebdo and terrorists. There is an attacker and a victim. It’s ok to make a joke about religion. If this was not the case, then Bill Maher would have been out of a job ten years ago.  It’s time to grow up.

Je suis Charlie.