Cheers! Charlie Hebdo Strikes again

Have you heard about the new Je Suis Charlie move? According to this article, the magazine now features a pictures of Muhammad shedding a tear and a caption that reads, "Je Suis Charlie" and "All is Forgiven."

I don't know about you, but I applaud this move. I applaud all they are doing. I think it is detrimental to give in to any sort of oppression. I'm not anti-Muslim in any way, shape, or form. I have several friends, whom I've not seen in a while, but still love dearly, who are Muslim and would NEVER condone the violent actions we've heard about on television.

I am in awe of the coming together we've gotten to witness in France and I wish America and Americans would do more of that. In our country, people are actually acting like it is a crime to fly the American flag...IN AMERICA. For fear of "offending Muslims." What?!! That's just ridiculous. The American flag does not represent and should never be considered a representation of ANY religion and therefore should be flown without any sort of fear.

Anyone who thinks the flag represents, say Christianity, is ignorant. It does not. American was not founded as a Christian State, but rather as a place where people could live in freedom from religious oppression.

When this is brought up, everyone brings up the Pledge of Allegiance..."Put God back in the Pledge of Allegiance." blahh, blahh, blahh..."this country was founded on Christian ideals." When they have no idea that God was NOT in the original Pledge. God was added in on June 14, 1954. Don't believe me? Read about it here.

Again, I do not support oppression of any kind. They say, put God back in the public schools. I say...NO. God doesn't need to be in the schools. Who would regulate it? Would muslim teachers be allowed to "teach" their religion? Would a Witch be allowed to discuss the Goddess? Would Buddhists be allowed to teach the Pillars?

When I tell people I do not want God in the schools, I'm met with a lot of criticism, even from my own family. My step-brother said, "Why are you always anti-Christianity?" I'm not. I'm anti-oppression. I'm anti-anything that can potentially take away the rights of others. I don't want someone else teaching my child anything spiritual. Period.

This is what I LOVE about the Charlie Hebdo move. It says, "I'll not be forced down." That's a sentiment we lack in this world, except from those who are killing for Muhammad. At least they are standing up for something, even if it is in a terrible way. No one else is. Everyone's sitting on their hands, in their comfortable homes bitching on social media (hello! haha!). Charlie Hebdo is doing something. They are doing something loud. It's in your face and I'd LOVE to see it start happening everywhere for various causes, especially in complacent & blind America.

You know, yesterday as my family and I were descending the stairs to go to the Mummy exhibit at the museum, I saw a lovely Muslim woman standing behind her husband and son and I smiled and nodded my head with "hello." Her eyes light up, she smiled and nodded back to me. It made me think that she's probably not used to that. She's probably used to glares and negative comments. You may not agree, but I know that my friends experienced terrible things while working at Macy's. Customers would make comments to my friend, Amal, like, "You're one of THOSE people aren't you? I can tell by your accent." Amal happened to be a Christian from Jordan...she was not a Muslim. She even wore a cross necklace. Tamara experienced similar situations as well. It was terrible.

Don't be stupid. Educate yourself. Experience the world. Get out of your little hole. Meet people. Treat people the way you want to be treated. Don't assume anything about anyone. I don't assume Christians are going to burn me at the stake, for example.



Wake up! Don't go back to sleep...wake up. Your government does not have everything under control.

xx,
Resa