Free speech in the wake of violence

Two weeks ago masked gunmen sent a barrage of bullets into the office of Charlie Hebdo, a French satirical newspaper in Paris.

The editor, his bodyguard, a custodian, four cartoonists, four editorial journalists as well as a guest attending the weekly editorial meeting were all shot. Later in the day a French policewoman was killed. One of the victims was Muslim.

For what reason?

Insults to the Prophet Mohammad according to reports. Al Qaeda in Yemen claimed responsibility and admitted ordering Islamist militant groups to attack Charlie Hebdo journalists. The publication is well-known for pushing the envelope. But does that give others the right to use violence in protest?

If anything, the attack only made the newspaper more popular. Over 3.4 million people gathered throughout France Jan. 11 to protest the shootings both at Charlie Hebdo and also shootings that occurred at a Jewish market outside of Paris. Protesters held signs stating, “Je suis Charlie.” I am Charlie.

The violence helped make the newspaper one of the most popular Google searches last week. Charlie Hebdo was the fourth most searched subject in the United States Jan. 13. Bonnaroo, Zoey Deschanel and Patricia Driscoll topped the most popular searches of that day. The violence was plastered across television news shows, the newspaper and on various websites.

Should speech be censored or restrained?

A student will read numerous pieces of literature throughout her/his school career, some of which will be controversial. Many have been placed on the “Banned Book List” across the country for a variety of reasons. A student attending school in the Mat-Su will have the opportunity to read “The Giver,” “Of Mice and Men,” “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “The Great Gatsby,” “Bridge to Terabithia,” “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” as well as many other classic and new titles. All of these texts have been banned at one time or other in districts throughout the nation.

As an English teacher, I am painfully cognizant of why some of these books have been banned. Some parents are concerned with the language used while others are concerned about content — violence, drug/alcohol/cigarette use or sexually explicit material.

Throughout my 18 years of teaching I have talked with a handful of parents and students about some of the reading materials used in my English classes. Occasionally there might be concern regarding the text. However, each family decided if they wanted their child to read the text, or read an alternate. I have never had a parent express such concern about a text that s/he wanted it banned.

Freedom of speech is just that, the ability to say what one wants, granted not all words are equal. But should censorship occur as a result of potential controversy? As lawyer Alan Dershowitz stated, “being offended by freedom of speech should never be regarded as a justification for violence.”

Jill Showman teaches English at Wasilla High School. She has taught for 18 years in Alaska. During winter break she was in Europe and flew out of Paris just hours before the attacks. She is grateful to be back in Alaska.