(Merci, Variety.com)
Well, all of us in France are in shock, as you may well have seen on the news. I was watching with mama and papa and saw the video of the killers at Charlie Hebdo, the outspoken newspaper in Paris that satirizes so many things—people, politics, religion and more.
But the French believe, above all, in freedom of the press and thousands took to the streets in protest of the killings. “We are all Charlie” the placards read, just as they read during 9/11, “We are all Americans.”
Mama said many people were interviewed and many, many stated that “We are all French, and the people who believe in peaceful islam religion should not be treated as radical islamists.”
The problem in any culture in which some horror has happened is that the culture as a whole tends to discount those who are associated with the perpetrators, even if they are only associated by birth or religion but are not radical terrorists. When America entered World War II, Japanese-Americans were put into camps as suspects even when there was no proof whatsoever that they were involved in the incidents initiated by Japan and directed at the US.
Mama says we must be aware of who is the terrorist and who is the neighbor and fellow man, woman and child who have become citizens of a country by choice for a better life. The tendency to condemn those who believe in Islam or who come from islamic countries has to be curbed so that we can all work together to stop terrorists from poisoning the attitudes of the populace toward believers in Islam.
A young woman said, “We are all French. We must keep that in mind when we judge our islamic neighbors after this incident.”
Mama, papa and I hope this attitude prevails in France after such a horrendous terrorist attack.
And how intelligent, the neighbour near Charlie Hebdo who videotaped the whole getaway including license number. Bravo. Our cell phones are amazingly helpful in so many ways.
Perhaps that’s why crime in so many cities in the US and elsewhere has diminished so radically.
I think I’ll get a cell phone soon…snap a pic of that cute stray who comes to gaze at me some days…
Je Suis Charlie.
Debby Hanoka
(Staff To The Feline Contingent)
Yes, we are all Charlie. Thank you.
Meow Loulou,
We are truly saddened by what happened at the offices of Charlie Hebdo. We send our cat-dolences and heartfelt purrs to all French people and kitties who are affected. PurrPurrPurrPurrPurr4Peace
Respectfully meowed,
Lilith, Rosco, Tina, & Lucky
The Feline Contingent
Well, Lilith, Rosco, Tina and Lucky, thank you for your support and yes, we are all in mourning for the brave at Charlie. I’m going to see your website right now!
Your mama is truly wise.
Purrs,
Nissy
Well, thank you, Nissy. I guess she listens to me, haha. But I’m happy to hear your responses to my blog ideas.
Very well said. It makes us very sad that so many of the people in South Mississippi seem incapable of understanding that the terrorist do not represent all the followers of Islam. At least based on the letters to the editor and the soundoffs we read in the local paper.
Thank you for your comments. Yes, the south has a long way to go. Mama is a Texan and has first-hand experience with those who cannot see past their prejudices, but there are others who can and perhaps they’ll awaken those asleep.
Great post, Suzanne — I mean Loulou.
Thank you, Andrew. We are in such shock here….unbelievable.
You’re getting a cell phone? We thought we are the only ones who don’t have one.
Well, it was a just a joke. Mama and papa have them of course and they take good pictures of me so I guess they can’t be all bad.
We stand with you and send our prayers and condolences…
Noodle and crew
http://www.herecomesnoodle.blogspot.com
Thank you all for wonderful supportive comments. We have to all learn the differences between extremists and worshippers.
Our finger slipped on the prior post so sorry!
Noodle and crew
No problema!!!