On January 7th, radical Islamists attacked a satirical French newspaper, Charlie Hebdo, killing 12 staff members. The attack was in response to Charlie Hebdo depicting the Prophet Mohammed in unflattering cartoons. Since then, many different arguments about religious sensitivity and freedom of the press have risen across the world. One such movement being âJe Suis Charlieâ (I am Charlie), which is the French peopleâs way of uniting in support of the newspaper.
Although many students hadnât heard of the attacks, we talked to some who did:
What is your opinion on Charlie Hebdo drawing cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed?
âThe drawings were really distasteful and rude, but within the circumstances of freedom of speech, I do believe they were exercising their freedom of speech. There are plenty of peaceful ways to oppose or protest these types of views; violence is not acceptable.â âMuslim Student Association
âIt is true that not everybody can understand it and have a bad interpretation of its covers. On the surface, it first can be direct and offensive, but when you truly understand and have the skills and knowledge for it, it denounces society issues.â âSandra le Mouellic, international student from France
âI understand what the terrorists did is a pretty bad thing, but I donât agree with [Charlie Hebdo] insulting an entire group of people.â -Jesse Claybo, junior appropriate technology major
âI think that everyone has the right to freedom of speech. They are a satirical publication, after all. I donât feel like the fact that it was offensive is reason enough to justify slaughter, and if their purpose was to âprotect their religion,â then killing off the Muslim police officer that confronted them was pretty f***ed up.â âEmily Wolschlag, senior management major
âI think there is a very fine line between expressing your opinions and being intentionally offensive. I just feel like they had to have expected some sort of backlash from printing something thatâs so incredibly offensive. However, I donât feel like they âdeserved itâ.â -Lacy Matusek, sophomore commercial photography major
What does this attack mean for the French people?
âA lot of hearts are going to have to be mended. All of the people of France, no matter what their religious background is, will have to come together and show that they are bigger than this, they are bigger and stronger than those who try to instill terror and fear in their hearts.â âMuslim Student Association
âThe eventual loss of freedom. Kill people for a cartoon, how stupid it is. It is scary how free and easy it is to be killed for this. We canât imagine, understand why. It isnât something we are supposed to witness in 2015, in a free society with rights.â-Sandra le Mouellic
âI think that it brought together the French people moreso than before. Seeing the whole country take to the streets was a beautiful thing as well as seeing world leaders hand in hand.â âJesse Claybo
âI think it probably affects the people of France about the same as it effects any country that goes through something that makes them feel unsafe. Iâm sure they are very angry and very sad.â-Emily Wolschlag
âI think it affects the French people because they have to take a side almost. They have to decide if theyâre going to stand behind Charlie Hebdo and stand up for free speech or if they want to say âHey, what youâre printing is offensive.â Itâs also hard for them to take the second stand because thatâs almost like them saying they feel like what happened is acceptable.â Lacy Matusek
How do you think this affects French Muslims?
âUnfortunately I think French Muslims will have a hard time of things for a while. When vile attacks like this happen people tend to look at all people, of that attacker’s religion or background with distrust and at times hatred even though it was perpetrated by a few individuals. French Muslims may be looked at or treated differently by those who feel that way.â âMuslim Student Association
âUnfortunately, there are still close-minded people who confuse Muslims and radical Islamists. More than 100 attacks targeted Muslims since Charlie Hebdo events. It has increased Islamaphobia. Once, there was a movement called ânot in my nameâ to make people understand [Muslims] donât share the same values as Islamists.â âSandra le Mouellic
âI would say theyâŠare furious about how a few people (terrorists) can make a bad name for an entire group of people.â âJesse Claybo
âI think the Muslim population of France is probably experiencing a lot of the same things [as other], sadness and anger. They are probably getting looked at differently too. I canât imagine they all feel safe right now.â âEmily Wolschlag
âItâs just important to remember that regardless if a person is Muslim or Jewish or Christian there are still extremists of all sorts.â âLacy Matusek