 |
| From the movie V for Vendetta...in case you missed it, stop everything and watch now. Today, in a city known for romance and world famous art, hate made its mark. What kind of hatred? The hatred of "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité" France's national motto -- Liberty, Equality, Brotherhood Those concepts don't seem controversial to me...but I am a free woman born and raised in the United States of America. I live in a place that values freedom and equality. A place that allows every single faith to practice in any way needed. A place that believes in educating everyone. A place that allows everyone to speak their mind...and yes, draw their political cartoons. We get heated discussions and disagreements among our people daily. France does too. But today, a group of three tried to use hatred and violence and fear to shut that down... and this is how the world responded: |
 |
| With a pen...grace in action...for the world to see. IDEAS ARE BULLETPROOF. Radical fundamentalists here's a memo: you can't shut people down with fear. Freedom doesn't just fly away. Education doesn't stop. Big ideas like Liberty, Equality and Brotherhood are here to stay. Your actions although frightening, bold and brazen show a sad desperation. You can't stop the flow of information. You can't stem the desire for knowledge. No matter what size guns you carry, freedom is bigger. Love is louder. Creativity and imagination overrule your hate any day of the week. What can I do...so far away from France? Why should I care? Why should I bother to hold my pen up? Because it is clear that freedom has a bold and vicious enemy. We cannot stay silent. We cannot feel safe in our corner of the world and watch as freedom gets chipped away in other great democracies... because it is only a matter of time until it heads here. Salman Rushdie, 25 years ago, had his life threatened for writing a book. The hatred has only gotten bolder. The actions even more diabolical. We have people chopping other people's heads off for God's sake! We need to stand with France and stand with freedom. We can take comfort in our camaraderie. Our shared brotherhood and friendship. France gave us Lady Liberty...holding her golden torch...welcoming our huddled masses. The people of Paris need to know and feel our strength and resolve. We are not backing away. I pray more cartoons ridicule, revile and relish in the stupidity that is radical. I can't wait to laugh out loud. Boldly, Brazenly, Freely as an educated woman who is educating all of her children and has the audacity to hold her pen up.  |
I stand. Boldly, as a Woman, as an Artist, as a Mother
ReplyDeleteI stand, with pen, paintbrush and camera in hand.
I stand for Freedom. I stand for Satire. I stand for Truth.
We will not be silenced.
We will not allow hatred and fear to silence us.
I stand with you my beautiful and brilliant friend.
Tara Marie...I can't begin to tell you how much I cherish your friendship and your pen raised alongside of mine. Your message here was a big gift. Thanks! :)
Delete