As you probably know, a few Muslims with an unpopular Islamic website quasi-threatened the creators of South Park and that, for some reason, made national news. The controversial episode depicts a man in a bear suit claiming to be the Prophet Muhammad, only to be revealed as Santa Claus later on (a point that most people missed).
Regardless of what the bloggers actually meant by their comments, the situation was egregiously overblown in mainstream media outlets. The story was initially sold as some kind of major Islamic organization making extremist comments publicly. The fact is that the two or three guys who run the amateur website have a miniscule following to a degree that it’s incomprehensible that media outlets would run the story to begin with. Were they eagerly expecting a backlash after the episode aired and proceeded to scour the internet desperately to make some 5 o’clock deadline?
This is basically one step away from two teenagers updating their Facebook statuses with “I want to punch Trey Parker in the face” and then having that extrapolated inexplicably into national news. We all know that it’s possible to find fringe internet voices to make a headline, especially the ‘Muslims are reactionary nutcases’ one, but it would be nice if media outlets would show a little more discretion.
On that note, did it really warrant a close to 10 minute segment on The Daily Show? Really, Jon Stewart? Concluding with a ‘go f*ck yourself’ dance number? Was that really necessary?
Oh well. Maybe it was.
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Dear Imram - After this story broke, I noticed a similar reaction as yours from many moderate Muslims in the media and in the various Muslim media watch dog groups.
The dominant reaction was to criticize the media for making too much of the “threat”, which they did to a certain extent. Yet the only Muslim that I know who spoke up and condemned the threats and Comedy Central for capitulating to the threats was Irshad Manji.
Moderates who continue to only criticize the media do not help the situation nor the public image of Muslims. In fact, I would argue that they do more harm than good through their words. Why not publicly condemn any fringe/lunatic/fanatic group that makes death threats. It would help moderate Muslims to stop being so defensive and speak out more for who we are and what we stand for. That those making threats are not representative of Muslims.
By burqastilettos on 04/28/2010 at 12:47pm Report Abuse
I condemn groups that issue death threats to media groups/artists/infantile comedians over defamation claims. People, turn the other cheek. What is the example of the prophet Muhammad (PBUH), in the face of criticism, having garbage thrown at him, etc? It wasn’t all-out war or revenge. TURN THE OTHER CHEEK. Also, notice the intent behind the piece. This is obviously an idiotic use of the image, and yes the show’s creators could have been more sensitive, but in the end, which group ends up defaming the religion and the prophet (PBUH) more? The cartoonist who ridicules everyone...or the fanatic who takes God’s name and smears it in the mud of ignorant violence and belligerence. Say what you need to say, and call people out for being insensitive/misrepresenting what you hold sacred, but how about demonstrating the value of your religion by showing its beauty and nobility? Stop reverting to caveman-like tactics that would shame the very core of modesty, temperance, and discipline, the qualities we have been instructed to encourage and practice.
By FareedaNYC on 04/28/2010 at 01:02pm Report Abuse
So the South Park threats were deemed as a media sensation “egregiously overblown”. A couple of fringe fanatics with no influence whatsoever made preposterous claims/threats and are being exaggerated by the mainstream media (cue in tea party movement – “oh now, you use this reasoning”). These arguments are so far from what is really going on and it undermines the disastrous implications of the issue at hand.
One thing the media did not do, however, was carry the actual message far enough. The episode was heavily censored, and to the casual viewer, you would think that the censoring was sarcastically intentional. The truth was that much of the censoring, including the entire “viewer message” section, was ordered by comedy central. The writers of the show would not back away from their original script, whatever that may have been, so comedy central went ahead and censored them in fear of any sort of backlash. This is the essence of what the controversy is about. This episode goes back all the way to the fallout from the Danish cartoons, to South Park’s earlier censorship in response to the fallout, as well as the ridiculous United Nations resolution on the ban of religious defamation (which coincidentally was spearheaded and pushed by the OIC).
The main concern here is the ability to act free from threat in a level playing field, which this episode addresses, and the fact that individuals, rather than religions, are the ones who have rights. South Park as a show is an “equal-opportunity offender”, and many have enjoyed the ridicule of several groups and communities, however, if any one group would be spared such ridicule in fear of reprisal, well that would be discrimination and censorship in its purity. The curbing of expression in fear of harmful retaliation must be addressed and put an end to.
The John Stewart episode wasn’t unnecessary, the media didn’t do enough, the episode was far from trivial, and any and all attention to this matter is urgent.
By aakanda on 04/28/2010 at 01:35pm Report Abuse
@ burqastilettos
Normally, I would agree with you but in this case what I was trying to bring light to in the post was that the very premise of the news story was flawed and deceptive. I feel like it was a non story made national only because it made for a great headline. It really doesn’t deserve a response from mainstream Muslims (or anyone for that matter) because it, first of all, wasn’t even a direct threat to anyone if you actually read what the bloggers wrote. And secondly, they have no influence or power. They’re literally just a few guys on the internet with a domain name. I really don’t think its worth bringing them infamy over. That’s all.
By imranjkhan on 04/28/2010 at 01:37pm Report Abuse
@aakanda
Honestly, I was going to agree with you about how its problematic for Comedy Central to censor their episodes preemptively fearing a possible backlash. But, from a legal standpoint, they can pretty much do whatever they want with their content. It’s not really up to the masses to change what they chose to censor.
Now whether they should have censored it or not, that’s a separate issue. It seems like it might be a lose/lose scenario from their perspective.
But sure, I agree that aspect of the controversy should be addressed. Did Jon Stewart address that? He mentioned it, but he defended Comedy Central saying that they “Write the checks” essentially. He only had an issue with the “veiled” Muslim threats they received. And proceeded to pick apart their logic, which is fine. But I think is misplaced and again, overblown.
By imranjkhan on 04/28/2010 at 01:56pm Report Abuse