Charlie Hebdo When does satire / comedy go too far? Or does it?

Situation ▪ Gunmen attacked a French satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo, on January 7, 2015, killing 12 people including the editor and celebrated cartoonists. ▪ The gunmen were Cherif and Said Kouachi, Muslim men who had been on the no-fly list in both the UK and the United States. ▪ The most deadly terror attack in France since ▪ The magazine was reportedly targeted because of its cartoons insulting the Prophet Muhammad during recent years. ▪ Actually, the magazine was firebombed in 2011 after depicting Muhammad as saying “100 lashes if you’re not dying of laughter.”

Some of the Cartoons in Question The cover which prompted the firebombing in The next day after the firebombing, the magazine used this cover showing an Islamic dressed man “kissing and making up” with a Charlie Hebdo writer. A cover depicting the Prophet Muhammad crying because “It’s hard to be loved by idiots.”

Universal Ideas ▪ Free Speech vs. Hate Speech ▪ Responsibility ▪ Hypocritical Behavior / Censorship ▪ General Respect ▪ The Role of Satire ▪ Passion

Things to Consider: ▪ Satire should “punch up” not “punch down” an idea in order to provoke seemingly positive change. ▪ Is reinforcing hatred an unintended effect of certain types of satire? ▪ Those who can change usually are in a position of power. – Who has the power in this situation? – Is there logical change Charlie Hebdo expected to happen from their satire? – If so, what could it have been?

Argument Question ▪ Consider the popularity of satirical newspapers, magazines, cartoons, and late night talk shows. Can humorists and satirists go too far or is what they say protected under the First Amendment?

Sources Brooks, David. “I Am Not Chalie Hebdo.” The New York Times 8 Jan Web. Chaudary, Anjem. “People Know the Consequences: Opposing View. Why Did France Allow Magazine to Provoke Muslims?” USA Today 8 Jan Web. Kristof, Nicholas. “Is Islam to Blame for the Shooting at Charlie Hebdo in Paris?” The New York Times 7 Jan Web. Taub, Amanda. “Charlie Hebdo and Its Biting Satire, Explained in 9 of Its Most Iconic Covers.” Vox 11 Jan Web. Updated 7 Jan