Originally a comment by Robert McLiam Wilson on Jennifer Cody Epstein’s letter to the anti-Charlie Hebdo faction.
Ophelia, You are right to warn generously about Frenchy Charlie’s overly literal translation of ‘con’. All such words are nightmarishly difficult to translate. The register of the same word can vary wildly depending on context. Might I amiably suggest that ‘jerks’ is a touch mild and that ‘assholes’ might be an even better solution.
I write for Charlie Hebdo. I am their only English speaking contributor. This whole episode has been painful and deeply dismaying. Thus, J Cody Epstein’s retraction is to be warmly welcomed. And I feel it is futile and unhelpful to see it as mealy mouthed or conditional. Apologising sincerely is just about the hardest thing there is. I felt she did it with some grace.
As for those who insist on their wrong-headed view on the Taubira cartoon, there are two things to say. Firstly, Christiane Taubira is an almost terrifyingly impressive and daunting women. She’s a real warrior. She definitely does not need ANYONE’s protection.
And secondly, we have passed the point, I fear, where information and explanation can achieve much. There is no longer much excuse for being uninformed on this. If you continue to slander the living and the dead at Charlie Hebdo (that almost TEDIOUSLY anti-racist publication), then it is perhaps not because you are ignorant of the truth but rather because the truth is inconvenient to you.
Truth’s like that sometimes.
I was very encouraged by what you wrote and the general tenor of the literate and rounded comments. I hate to say something so…mean-spirited. But I can’t help noticing that all the funny people are on only one side of this particular garden fence.
Thank you Robert McLiam Wilson for this comment, and thank you, Ophelia, for posting the Epstein letter. I made part of it my Quote of the Day. As I say there, the beginning of Fourest’s new book – and especially her loving description of her murdered friends and colleagues – brought home the coldness of the PEN petition. Reading this letter helped, and left me much more hopeful.
Ain’t it the truth. Sympathies and best wishes to you, Robert.
Yes. That’s why I get so upset about all this, of course…Because the CH people were quality people, allies, copains, people who gave a damn. It does feel like killing them a second time, god damn it.
“But I can’t help noticing that all the funny people are on only one side of this particular garden fence.”
Hahaha. It’s true!
And then I remembered from somewhere that humor is supposed to be strongly related to a sense of perspective. So that distribution of fun is no accident, is it?
“As for those who insist on their wrong-headed view on the Taubira cartoon, there are two things to say. Firstly, Christiane Taubira is an almost terrifyingly impressive and daunting women. She’s a real warrior. She definitely does not need ANYONE’s protection.”
I have said this before and I will say it again, I think we make a mistake when we project the idea that there was and is nothing to be legitimately questioned in the way Charlie Hebdo sometimes chooses to make its point, regardless of what the point might be. I will repeat myself, as a young black man whose mother is from Guyane, I winced when I first saw the Taubira cartoon and this was before the events of January. I think it is entirely legitimate to look at that cartoon and question the licence that Charlie Hebdo takes with certain matters; Taubira’s impressiveness notwithstanding. Did Hebdo have to go there in order to make its point?
Is it ever okay to depict black people as monkeys, given the history of dehumanization which black have had to endure in places like France? I don’t know that I entirely agree with the answer I think SOS Racisme and Robert are giving here. I am I wrong headed in this? I don’t really know.
I agree with you. I haven’t intended to project that idea, but doubtless in the rush to respond to the types who shout “THEY ARE RACIST!!!” I sometimes have.
I’m sure this has been brought up at some point, but I haven’t seen it, so maybe it bears a(nother) mention:
Remember that New Yorker cover illustration in 2008 satirically depicting the Obamas as the racist right’s worst nightmare?
Lots of people hated that cover. People could recognize that it was satirizing a view that the New Yorker did not itself hold and still not be comfortable with the depiction. I think it’s possible to appreciate the fact of the satire but still not find it funny because of the reality that so many people–not just fringe wackos but powerful people with lots of exposure–are really that racist.
I absolutely don’t believe that CH is a racist publication. I can agree that there is some value in presenting material that might make people uncomfortable if it makes those people reflect on the absurdity and abhorrence of un-ironic racism. But I also think it’s very difficult to do this, it’s a fine line to walk, and even those who are good at it aren’t going to make the right call every time.
I do remember that cartoon, and I always felt very dubious about it.
Dear P. Jordan Howell,
There is absolutely nothing wrong-headed about the views you express so clearly and moderately. Discomfort, ambivalence and yes, wincing, are all reactions I can respect. And you should always question just about everything and everybody, of course! The wrong-headedness referred to those who confidently claim that Charlie is either dodgy or overtly racist. I share your discomfort with this image. It is not a comfortable image. The lamentable tosh it is satirizing is profoundly shaming. Not just the baby monkey picture but a magazine headline so pathetic that i simply will not repeat it. The kind of stuff that disgraces us all.
French satire has always been intensely aggressive, relentless and bawdy. Rabelais and all that. And it also insists that it does not always have to be funny. And French racism is a very different beast to those phenomena in the UK or the US – very much less euphemistic and shamefaced. Which means that you often hear or read things here that would stop the clocks in New York or London. Thus, two corrosive and spectacular currents meet and produce….well, discomfort.
I sometimes show French people (who speak good English) excerpts of Chris Rock stand-up routines. Doesn’t matter what their language level is, almost no one gets him. Indeed, many think he’s a bit of a fascist. Sometimes it’s beyond mere language, it’s about the colour and weight of words. The amount of water they displace in our shared cultural tub.
This is not to say that Americans and Brits are nicer or anything. It’s just that the histories are very different (and so the present as well). And it is with those complexities and nuances in mind, that it is so vital to explain, discuss, listen and understand.
Your reaction has nothing in common with the ex-cathedra (and REALLY badly written) pronouncements of the PEN boycotters. You are not engaging in blithe assertion or automatic gainsay.
You speak reasonably and emotively about something that troubles you. Your words are inflected, open and not declarations from on high. A man or woman who speaks like this? That is my brother and my sister. They make me wish I had more ears to hear and more eyes with which to read (especially in these dimwitted days).
I’ve always thought that it was the height of arrogance and condescension (as well as being plain rude), to take offense on behalf of someone who hasn’t asked you to. It’s nothing more than “White Man’s Burden.” I’m sure that if Mme. Taubira expressed offense, I’d have no problem standing right there with her. I’m not comfortable, though, assuming offense on her behalf.
Taubira had been insulted BY LE PEN. And Charlie Hebdo referenced the insult, complete with Le Pen’s parties symbol.
If you depict Klansmen and burning crosses while opposing racism in the U.S. you are not licencing your own murder for ‘racism.’
Political Correctness, taken to the point the CH protesters have, is tantamount to passive support for racism and murder. Not seeing or hearing ‘bad’ things become more important that STOPPING THEM!
Robert McLiam Wilson, your english-speaking francophone insights are much appreciated. I hope that you will frequent the comment section of this blog.
Starred double first.