Freedom of expression in America took another step closer
to a slow death last week when the Seattle Weekly
announced it would no longer be publishing the work of
cartoonist Molly Norris because she had gone into hiding and had
changed her name at the behest of the FBI due to death threats
issued against her by Anwar al-Awlaki, the American born Muslim
cleric now based in Yemen.
Awlaki, of course, is the same Muslim cleric who has been
linked to the Fort Hood Massacre and the failed attempts to blow up
Northwest Flight 253 on Christmas Day as well as Times Square in
May.
Last July, Awlaki
identified Norris as a “prime target” for execution in
Insight, an English language magazine that has been
described as “al Qaeda’s Tiger Beat.” Only you won’t find
any articles on
Justin Bieber or the
Jonas Brothers in this magazine. While some American girls
might think Bieber and the Jonas are the bomb, in Insight
apprenticing jihadists can
learn “How to Make a Bomb in the Kitchen of Your
Mom.” Initially, there were some doubts about the
authenticity of this magazine. But the threats against Norris
turned out to be
genuine.
To refresh your memory, Norris came up with a novel idea
after a Muslim group in Brooklyn threatened South Park
creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone last April over their depiction
of Mohammed in two episodes. She reasoned that if everyone were to
draw Mohammed, then how could Islamic fundamentalist terrorists
kill everyone? Norris then proclaimed May 20 “Everyone Draw
Mohammed Day.” She also received support from a separate campaign
on Facebook. Of course, Norris drew
her own picture of Mohammed. Needless to say, her initiative took
on a life of its own and spun out of control. Unfortunately, for
Norris it was a situation for which she was utterly unprepared and
her life would never be the same.
David Gomez, the FBI’s assistant special agent in charge
of counterterrorism in Seattle, stated
the federal agency was doing “everything in our power to assist the
individuals on that list to effectively protect themselves and
change their behavior to make themselves less of a
target.”
Yet it is difficult to imagine what else Norris could have
done to make herself less of a target. No sooner did the “Everyone
Draw Mohammed Day” initiative go viral than Norris
distanced herself from the creativity she sparked. She then
publicly apologized and
asked “that this ‘day’ be called off.”
Well, fat lot of good that did her. Apparently, Alwaki has
no concept of forgiveness. Once a transgression has been committed
against Mohammed it can only be remedied by the death of the
transgressor. Indeed, Alwaki
writes, “The medicine prescribed by the Messenger of Allah is
the execution of those involved.” All things considered, Norris
would probably have been better off to stand her ground.
Now one can the make the case that it is easy to say she
should have stood her ground when one’s life has not been
threatened by the man who is arguably the most dangerous Muslim
cleric in the world and being told by the FBI it is in your best
interest to suddenly change your identity. But to what kind of life
can Molly Norris now look forward? She can no longer call herself
by her real name. She has very likely been forever cut off from
family and friends. And while she might be able to draw in the
privacy of her own home, she can surely never submit her drawings
for publication for fear that her works will be recognized. In
short, the artist formerly known as Molly Norris is being deprived
of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
With this in mind, I cannot help but wonder that if Norris
had been more assertive in her own defense then others would have
been more eager to stand beside her. Perhaps Jon Stewart and
Stephen Colbert would have offered comedic reassurance. But then
again why would they risk the enmity of Anwar al-Alwaki when they
can make fun of the Tea Party and Christianity with the knowledge
that no one will call for the streets to be filled with their
blood. Besides, Stewart
wasn’t exactly a profile in courage during the South
Park controversy.
I also wonder if Norris had wrapped herself in the First
Amendment whether the White House would have supported her. After
all, President Obama cited the First Amendment in support of the
construction of the Ground Zero Mosque. Yet you would be wise not
to hold your breath for the President’s support. Let us recall that
in October 2009 the Obama Administration co-sponsored a
resolution with Egypt before the UN Human Rights Council that
would make criticism of Islam a violation of international
law.
So given the current political climate regarding Islam in
America who among us could be the next Molly Norris?
Could someone in America be forced to change their name
for writing about the treatment of women under Sharia law in Saudi
Arabia?
Could someone in America be forced into hiding for making
a film about Muslim children being indoctrinated with hatred
towards Israel?
Could someone in America be forbidden from exercising
their First Amendment rights because they used those rights to
speak on behalf of religious minorities persecuted in Muslim
countries such as the Baha’i in Iran?
Some might believe what happened to Molly Norris is an
isolated incident. But the next Molly Norris is only a fatwa
away.
