It’s been a month since the massacre of Charlie Hebdo. Two gunmen attacked the French satire newspaper, killing 12 people. ‘Je suis Charlie’ and ‘Je suis Ahmed’ were trending. People sent their thoughts and prayers. The words ‘freedom of speech‘ and ‘respect each other‘ numerously spiked. The first edition of Charlie Hebdo after the incident raised another controversy. One question remains for me, how do people react on this kind of tragedy?
I don’t usually post thought on social media so fast about recent events. I’d rather be the last person to talk, at least I got the facts right and I build strong arguments/reasoning on how I want to direct my thoughts for similar cases in the future.
Charlie Hebdo is a satire newspaper. Satire has been a culture in French, usually used to criticize on politics, intends to bring awareness and sometimes, inspire. Would certain people in other country with certain culture accept the same black comedy as it is? Would they be offended and goes berserk? But the attacker is a French citizen, so I assumed either the joke is off limits or they really couldn’t see a humor as a humor. But then again, when you talk about freedom, there is no law saying it needs to be responsible. Freedom has no limits that is why it called freedom. Responsible freedom would be ideal freedom we all need. The world would become a really better place to live on if everyone has one. When Al Jazeera’s newsroom email leaked out, I got confused. I am all of them. Can I ask for respect while not judged to be called murderer? Can I defend freedom and still have faith to my religion?
This week another event came up involving Muslim community, The Chapel Hill. 3 Muslims shot dead by a lone gunman (the reason is still in investigation, whether it is a hate crime or just sudden anger). The word ‘double standard’ attacked the media. Once again, I feel really dumb by not really into the rage. I don’t really want to question anything. I don’t want to talk in ‘what if’. Turns out, all news outlet are now calling it breaking news. I just want to remind you that live matters, any lives matters. When people murdered in different circles around you, in different country, in different race, in different religion, I really hope you will still ‘that’ care. I really hope you give that kind of shout out into the world. Start asking, does ‘double standard’ also apply to yourself?
I don’t really care whether half the world or all of the world don’t agree with me. I’m not living to prove a point. I despise the killing and all kind of extremist on all level, whether it is about race, religion, community, etc. I strongly support the freedom of speech. But I want people to respect each other in some kind of phase that they are accepting differences as it is and sometimes, accepting unfairness. When other insults you in such a bad way, don’t insult them back. Prove them wrong, if you should. But share that kind of spirit to yourself. When you’re done proving them wrong, don’t insult them back, don’t rub them in the face. Just live, let them be, go on with your life. Having revenge is never do any good.
Nobody deserves to die, because death is endgame. I still want to believe people. I still want to believe that people have something that will change them in certain point. I don’t want to be an extremist. I really don’t, it’s frustrating, and it involves a lot of hate. I’m done being hater. We don’t need hate anymore. Can all people just be a good lover? The one that will toss kindness like a confetti.
