Public Comment

What more is there to add to the different reactions to Charlie Hebdo's satirical French magazine and the subsequent murders of the magazine's staff? From progressives the general response has been revulsion against the murders and strong support for freedom of the press, although many of us are very unhappy about the content that appeared in the cartoon magazine.

Still, I think there is something else worth adding. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the French magazine instead of lampooning Muslims publishes messages of respect? And how wonderful it would be if the French working class, encouraged by their unions, reach out to these immigrants. Instead, the reaction to Muslims tends to be xenophobic. Moreover, it has encouraged the growth of the right wing in France. 

Of course, the problem is not limited to France. To a considerable extent the mass media's selective reporting in the United States has labeled Muslims as dangerous. But Christianity is not bashed by the media when crimes are committed by those who happen to be Christians. 

You know—Muslims are human beings who want to be respected. They love their families and friends. They love their children. They value education. They want decent jobs to support their families. Indeed, they want to live in a society that provides them with economic and political security. They are not happy about being compelled to relocate to a country where so many citizens do not welcome them. 

So although we support the right of the media to poke fun at others, shouldn't we make reaching out to Muslims as well as other minorities a major priority? Actually, many are making such serious efforts. But many more need to transcend their xenophobia. This is necessary to achieve a humane society in which human rights—political+economic+social rights—are guaranteed to everybody. Indeed, we must do what we can to build not only a community among ourselves, but a human community that embraces us all.