The tension between free speech and hate speech is already on display in the Middle East. Now it’s come to the New York City subway system. An ad campaign branding Muslims as “savages” has gone on display. Wisely, courts have resisted censorship. But the subway ads have had at least one positive effect: They’ve brought together many Jewish and Islamic groups in criticizing the campaign.
Pamela Geller of the anti-Islamic group known as the American Freedom Defense Initiative won a court case over the summer defending the posters as free speech. They include the slogan “In Any War Between the Civilized Man and the Savage, Support the Civilized Man,” surrounded by images of the Star of David. Some Muslim activists, including Egyptian-American commentator Mona Eltahawy, urged their supporters to deface the posters. But defacing public property is illegal, and is the wrong way to fight back.
Comments
The ad was a profoundly effective, in that it named "savages" as the problem, not "muslims". In this contruct, Muslims who oppose the violance of the jihadists can support it. Only the radicals would suggest that the messages was targeting all Muslims.
The war against radical Islam will only be won from within, when non violent Muslims are able to control the radicals in their midst. Messages like this to chastise the radicals is a very effective way to do so.
Sadly a good portion of the American people is incapable of seperating the idea of "savages" and "muslims". The difference between "jihadist" and "Islamist". American's are so uneducated and so parochial in their knowledge of the world they don't even know the multiplicity of beliefs within the Muslim world. Rather than an ad campaign to de-humanize any one group it might behoove this society to learn about other cultures. But then why should any red blooded American learn anything about anyone. The only way is the American way. You know shock and awe. We don't need no stinking diplomacy. We dont' need no education. We don't even need to learn the fine art of manipulation. After all we are the "exception". We're special.
The woman spearheading this ad campaign, Pamela Geller, features prominently in the report "Fear Inc. - The Roots of the Islamophobia Network in America" published in August 2011 by the Center for American Progress, a progressive public policy research and advocacy organization based in Washington, DC. The report highlights the right-wing foundations and individuals dedicated to spreading hate and misinformation about Islam in the United States and beyond. According to the report (p. 89): [Geller publishes a blog called Atlas Shrugs, which] "is named after novelist and philosopher Ayn Rand’s, Atlas Shrugged. The Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged, and other Rand novels promote an extreme philosophy of selfishness and undiluted libertarianism, and are worshipped by the right wing — and by Geller, who calls Rand “the greatest philosopher in human history” and says the goals of her blog are “clearly defined by Rand’s philosophy.” In addition to being a media player, Geller is an active grassroots organizer for anti-Muslim causes (as detailed in Chapter 3 of our report). Geller’s many commentaries, blog posts, and media appearances promote a slew of conspiratorial claims. They include: President Obama is a Muslim; Arabic is not just a language but actually a spearhead for anti-Americanism; radical Islam has infiltrated our government, which is being run by Islamic supremacists; and Muslims are engaged in stealth cultural jihad by wearing their head scarves at Disneyland." See more at http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/religion/report/2011/08/26/10165/fear-inc/
This comment has been removed.
When that information is accurate, it's important to hear, of course. But when it's fabricated and distorted to for purposes of demonizing, creating fear, and whipping up hatred against Muslims in general, then it's unwelcome and destructive, as this report indicates. Stop palling around with the bigots, Kitch.
The ad doesn't mention Islam or Muslims but everyone jumps to the conclusion that it must be directed at that particular group. I wonder why people would get that impression. Maybe it has something to do with empirical evidence. Pamela Geller's group is planning additional ads to expand on this one. For example some will read "Support The Copts Defeat Jihad" some will read "Support The Hindu's Defeat Jihad" and some will read "Support The Troops Defeat Jihad." The editorial is correct in denouncing the call to deface the ads. Mona Eltahawy didn't just call for this vandalism, she actively participated in it. She even spray painted a woman who was standing in front of one of the ads. By the way, during the so-called Arab Spring celebrtions in Tahrir Square she was savagely mauled in the same manner as Lara Logan. This woman has a strange set of priorities. Of course the correct response to these ads is to take out counter ads. They could borrow the wording seen on countless signs in Muslim protests "Behead All Who Insult Islam." Underneath that statement they could print a line from this editorial "Cruel Expression Cuts Both Ways."
This comment has been removed.
This comment has been removed.
It is a far cry from supporting Islam to supporting Islamists. The left has long supported women's rights in the Islamic world and has been far more vocal than the right. Ms. Clinton has given many speeches regarding womens rights and the rights of minorities. President Obama in his much derided speech in Cairo expressed the need for diversity, the protection of womens rights and the protection of minoritites.
I do not believe that anyone on the left or the right try to curry favors with Islamists. There are many who try to give Islam the lattitude to grow and change. But hey what's the point. We Americans we know everything. We know how to bend everyone to our will. We know beyond a shadow of a doubt they way to solve the Islamist problem is to kill all the Islamists. After all there is no other way. Right.
This comment has been removed.
This comment has been removed.
This comment has been removed.
Good for Geller. Is the shooting of a 14 year girl not savage? Is the constant assault and killing of Christians in muslim countries not savage? why should muslims be afforded rights in this country that they do not provide others in their own countries?