More from my column on words*, which appears regularly in the National, Abu Dhabi. I hope these words speak for themselves ...
Whether they occur on European streets or North African beaches, at Middle Eastern markets and Pakistani schools, terrorist atrocities are invariably followed by words that are wise or noble, angry or defiant.
Amid all that politicians, religious leaders and commentators have said about the Paris attacks on November 13 last year, Antoine Leiris’s response to the murder of his wife, one of 130 killed that night, famously combined three of those adjectives.
Maybe Donald Trump does want to make America great again, as opposed to making it a great place for racists, redneck mass killers and ruffians who curiously resemble the Taliban. No, thought not. But his odious rhetoric raises issues about freedom of speech that are worth discussing. Here are some thoughts of mine ...
Most western countries proudly proclaim a long-held attachment to freedom of expression.
Underpinning the virtue of allowing people to say and write broadly what they wish is the bold statement inaccurately attributed to the 18th century French philosopher Voltaire: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
Although these were not Voltaire own words but a biographer’s interpretation of his outlook, the noble thoughts will forever be associated with his name. It is echoed in the children’s adage, “sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me".
When considering the EU leave or stay options, I try to rise above the feeling that with enemies like UKIP, Iain Duncan Smith and, in France, the Le Pen tribe - no real distinction save that young Marion may be the most dangerous of the lot - the union must be OK. Essentially, I succeed in that effort while still feeling that, substantial warts and all, we're better off in than we would be out. Not that the debate so far helps enormously in making up minds ...
From the Fiske Icelandic Collection of Cornell University Library, New York
There was only so far I could take a discussion* on the merits of studying the classics. My own Latin studies petered out early in secondary education and I do not think a holiday in Corfu and a weekend in Thessaloniki will have equipped me for ancient Greek. But I do know dumbed-down hack presentation when I see or hear it ...
Between the languages of ancient civilisations and the foibles of today’s news media, there is some distance. But if we allow for diversion, a link can just about be found.
In a search for inspiration on the theme of the “dumbing down” of modern journalism, two unrelated sources commended themselves: Jan Leeming, a British broadcaster whose news bulletins were models of serious, calm delivery, and a long-in-the-tooth former colleague with strident views on how newspapers express themselves.
Salut! has become, more than anything, a repository for my articles in The National* and elsewhere, with occasional input from guest writers - Bill Taylor promises another of his exhilarating Not a Native New Yorker pieces soon - but less material that is exclusive to this site. You need only to look at the visits-to-site statistics to see why this is the case.
Only when I pick a subject that has niche interest, and promote it accordingly, do the numbers encourage me to go beyond reproduction of published articles to a broader approach. This one, an instalment of my column about words dealing with one important aspect of the Paris attacks, speaks for itself ...
A snarling gunman, rifle by his side, clenches his left fist. “Me, I’m a true Muslim,” he declares. “Not at all,” a small boy replies, “just a true murderer.”
The simple imagery and words, conveying the profound truth of Islam’s rejection of terrorist self-justification, are found in one of a series of cartoons published by Mon Quotidien, a daily French newspaper for children, since ISIL’s Paris shootings and bombings.
The publication is one of three aimed at different age groups between six and 17. These newspapers – Le Petit Quotidien (for those aged six to 10), Mon Quotiden (10-14) and L’Actu (14-17) – have used many images and thousands of words to explain the horrific atrocities, and also the French values seen to be under attack.
It is a painful but necessary initiative. A desire to preserve the innocence of childhood is natural but even young minds need to be aware when terrible loss of life is inflicted, whether the victims are in France, Lebanon or other countries scarred by terrorism and war.
Among education and child psychology specialists, there is broad approval for adults talking to children about tragic events. Cool, measured terms are essential, the approach varied to take account of age and individual sensibilities. Sensationalist language and shocking pictures are to be avoided. The task is delicate whatever care is taken, but parents and teachers should realise that even small children will usually find out about major incidents.
“Do not assume your children live in a bubble where the radio, television, internet and playground do not exist,” says Francois Dufour, editor-in-chief of the newspapers. When he said children should be encouraged to pose their own questions, his young readers responded. Why are the terrorists targeting France? Why do they kill themselves, too? Is it normal to be afraid? Why does religion make people do horrible things?
Since France has Europe’s largest Muslim population, the final question in that condensed list is a tricky one.
A few Muslim parents have protested that Dufour’s coverage falls into the very trap it seeks to avoid. Being devout, they remind him, “doesn't make us terrorists”.
As it happens, Dufour agrees. “Do not confuse the religion of Muslims, the strict interpretations of its rules and a wish to impose your ideas by violence and terror,” he says. But he took the criticism to heart and encouraged young Muslims to share their thoughts and experiences.
The impact on these children is disheartening. Le Petit Quotidien quotes nine-year-old Ayman, understandably distressed when, on his first day back at school after November 13, some classmates treated him “like a terrorist”. His teacher wisely took time to lecture the class on the distinction between faith and violence.
Among 14 Muslim teenagers quoted by L’Actu, some raised discrimination and the feeling of being seen as worthless in French society – factors extremists happily exploit. In ensuring these views are also heard, the newspapers have performed a valuable service.
More than 600,000 people have downloaded online versions of the special editions. Printed copies have been sent to 140,000 subscribers and there is warm praise from teachers for keeping children properly informed, answering their perceptive questions and understanding their fears.
Cartoons have, of course, been known to cause real offence to Muslims. But in the gentle style of those selected for the children’s newspapers, strong messages are communicated with dignity.
On the front page of one issue of Mon Quotidien, two children are shown walking to school. The girl says: “The terrorists say they’re Muslims like us.” The boy corrects her: “Impossible. If they were Muslims, they wouldn’t be terrorists.”
* This is an instalment of my regular column about words which appears in The National, Abu Dhadi. My work for that newspaper - not all, but some of it - is reproduced with the editor's consent
Nadine Morano, impeccably fair in hair colour, skin and clothing with just a hint of black visible. From the official European Parliament site
To civilised eyes and ears, the French politician Nadine Morano's pained declaration that France is a country of the race blanche was as nauseating as it was false. I have taken pops at her in two columns published in recent days.
But ever the fair trader, I extend a sincere invitation to Mme Moran to explain how she has been misunderstood or how the rest of us, save for some grim usual suspects, have got it all wrong. She may do it in French or English as she chooses ...
A row over France's attachment to cultural protectionism accompanied my big annual return for hibernation in the UK. Radio stations are obliged to ensure that 40 per cent of the records played are in the French language and the government complains that they are making a mockery of the quota system by playing the same pop standards over and again. This can be jarring for the long-distance driver. Much more jarring is the wretched quality of English-language pop music lyrics ...
A 1,400-kilometre slog from the Mediterranean to London brought a useful reminder of one of pop music’s functions. It makes a long, tedious motorway drive more bearable.
Two French journalists were secretly recorded asking the King of Morocco's lawyer for €2m - the price of silence was actually €3m but came down - in return for abandoning a book containing unspecified but allegedly damaging material. There may be interesting legal battles ahead but the one strong defence I can so far think of, that the writers were wholly innocent but went along with the idea thinking it might give them a wonderful first or last chapter, does not yet seem to have been advanced. From my words column at The National* ...
Albert Camus contemplates signing for Sunderland: from the New York World-Telegram and Sun Photograph Collection, 1957
Sod's law. No sooner had I written and submitted this minor exploration of footballspeak than the latest Fifa corruption scandal erupted. A small insert seemed to maintain its validity ...
If we placed our trust in received wisdom, we would cheerfully accept that words and football make poor soul mates.
Typical footballers, it is almost obligatory to believe, are essentially athletic dimwits who would struggle in almost any other chosen pursuit.
Yes, they may be blessed with physical skills. But no, they cannot string together a few coherent words, and those hired to manage them are not much better.
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