by Emaan Alvi
Following the recent outburst of anger and hatred across the globe, one can’t help but think “has everybody completely lost it?”. It’s a pretty simple question running through our minds with a pretty straightforward answer: “Yes, the average brain has finally shown its limits of shallow idiocy”.
May 20th, 2010. No, it’s not Mother’s Day or some random country’s Independence Day, it’s “Everyone Draw Muhammad Day”. Why? Because some intolerant Gori named Molly Norris sitting in a nook in Seattle had a brilliantly stupid idea. After the outrage shown by Muslim bloggers at the depiction of the Holy Prophet in the popular TV show, South Park, the said Cartoonist decided to ‘teach Muslims a lesson’. Seriously? This plan of yours really isn’t working, Molly.
Currently, 37,507 people on Facebook are currently members of the page, and counting. Where will the madness end? For those who claim it’s a much needed route to real freedom of speech, please think again. You want your freedom of speech and expression by hurting the feelings of millions of Muslims around the world who did nothing to you. Is that really a positive turn to the situation? Religion is a personal choice. It is not something to be mocked at. I disagree with those around the world writing extremely offensive comments about Islam under the banner of “free speech”. If you really want free speech, then why not call an African American a ‘nigger’ to their face? Or make fun of the Holocaust to a Jew? Or let those held captive in Guantanamo preach what they want? Why don’t you? Answer: Because you make the rules on morality and freedom. And everyone is supposed to follow them.
The problem with the world today is that most of us have lost ourselves in our own extreme ideas, our hatred consuming us every second. We have forgotten that before we are Christians, Jews, Atheists, or Muslims, we are human beings. Our moral duty to one another comes before any religious one.
Freedom of speech is a respected notion in the minds of many Muslims. However, it is not freedom of speech when you deliberately slander someone’s emotional integrity. I want to ask those who support this Day, are you trying to prove a point that you’re not “scared” just by pulling off this stunt or are you really showing the Muslim world that you can ignite real hatred by showing YOUR intolerance?
I’m not saying murder threats or bombs or fanatical Muslim comments are right, I’m just trying to remember what we learnt back in preschool. Two wrongs do not make a right. You don’t abuse someone’s mother or sister or roots just because you have the power to. “With great power comes great responsibility”.
That’s what Spiderman taught us. We have the power to use our words at will but we have a responsibility of using them wisely. I chose to sit in the sidelines and laugh at the absurdity of all the useless bickering going on text messages and Facebook. Eventually there comes a time when you get tired of watching and you need to stand up and say “what is wrong with you people?” For me, that time is pretty much now.
Source: The Nation
Date:5/26/2010
