Condemning a wider community for the actions of a few
Bullet hole at the Charlie Hebdo offices in Paris
There are some events that cut through the noise we face in our daily lives and demand our attention. That almost redefine the word ‘newsworthy.’
The horrific massacre in Paris this week, at the offices of Charlie Hebdo, is a one such example.
Twelve tragically murdered in cold blood. A telegraphed message by fanatics, in a country famed for ideals and values which carried far beyond borders.
Despicably, and perhaps unsurprisingly, it didn’t take long for some politicians to try and seize control of the agenda, attempting to twist the incident for their own political gain.
France’s National Front leader Marine Le Pen
France’s Marine Le Pen, Britain’s Nigel Farage, and the leaders of the German anti-Muslim Pegida movement were all eager to fire off shotguns of rhetoric, using shells of terrorists to condemn a wider community for the actions of a few.
Farage should prompt the most concern, with the next UK general election just four months away and support for UKIP rising, as it is for Le Pen’s National Front.
Both the Islamist attackers and Europe’s anti-immigration parties have something in common: they seek division and to sow fear.
On Wednesday, Farage briefly exposed his true colours, which are normally camouflaged for the press with friendly chats, sound bites and pictures of him drinking pints. As the horror set in, he spoke of failed immigration laws, the “gross policy of multiculturalism” and of a “fifth column.”
Both the Islamist attackers and Europe’s anti-immigration parties have something in common: they seek division and to sow fear.
UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage
Thankfully, the reaction of much of the general public has been the opposite: people are standing up for free speech, recognising the acts as the work of extremist fanatics.
When France remembers its dead on Sunday, and the world’s leaders stand side-by-side with François Hollande to remember the victims, let’s hope that those voters who dallied with fear and division at the recent European parliamentary elections realise exactly what they’re voting for.
@urlgoeshere
An edited version of this column was published in the Buenos Aires Herald, on Sunday, January 11, 2015 as part of the ‘Perceptions’ series.
Link: http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/179229/massacre-opportunism.