http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/tunisian-court-case-exposes-rift-over-free-speech-in-new-democracy/2012/05/02/gIQAj4cexT_story.html?hpid=z3
Tomorrow, I return to Tunisia! During the month and a half since I was last in the country debating with students about the future of their nation, Tunisians have been debating among themselves about the details of that future.
The Washington Post's recent article (see link above) highlighted some of the major sides of this debate. The article describes how a Tunisian man was recently prosecuted, (and since fined), for displaying a movie named Persepolis, which depicts a young girl speaking to God. In Islam, the depiction of God is forbidden, and some in Tunisia thought this free expression of the media went too far. Put simply, Tunisia is now faced with having to balance freedom of expression with freedom of religion. Does freedom of expression allow for expression that is offensive to Islam? Does a new freedom of religion mean that Islam should have a role in government? After the "RCD Degage - out with the RCD" campaign, Tunisians are now grappling with the decision of what should replace this new void. And with the "Yes we can" mentality, Tunisians are dealing with what comes after that phrase: yes we can...do what?
These questions in particular can be answered by no one but the Tunisians themselves, but they are questions that members of all democracies should consider. Namely, what does freedom of (fill in the blank) truly mean? Though America is the "land of the free," she might benefit from a reminder about the importance of protecting freedom - an ideal that can easily be corrupted, overused, or even erased. As I prepare to return to Tunisia, I look forward to learning how Tunisia's debate about freedom can remind America about her own need to cherish the freedom upon which she was built. I'll be sure to share my findings :)
Tomorrow, I return to Tunisia! During the month and a half since I was last in the country debating with students about the future of their nation, Tunisians have been debating among themselves about the details of that future.
The Washington Post's recent article (see link above) highlighted some of the major sides of this debate. The article describes how a Tunisian man was recently prosecuted, (and since fined), for displaying a movie named Persepolis, which depicts a young girl speaking to God. In Islam, the depiction of God is forbidden, and some in Tunisia thought this free expression of the media went too far. Put simply, Tunisia is now faced with having to balance freedom of expression with freedom of religion. Does freedom of expression allow for expression that is offensive to Islam? Does a new freedom of religion mean that Islam should have a role in government? After the "RCD Degage - out with the RCD" campaign, Tunisians are now grappling with the decision of what should replace this new void. And with the "Yes we can" mentality, Tunisians are dealing with what comes after that phrase: yes we can...do what?
These questions in particular can be answered by no one but the Tunisians themselves, but they are questions that members of all democracies should consider. Namely, what does freedom of (fill in the blank) truly mean? Though America is the "land of the free," she might benefit from a reminder about the importance of protecting freedom - an ideal that can easily be corrupted, overused, or even erased. As I prepare to return to Tunisia, I look forward to learning how Tunisia's debate about freedom can remind America about her own need to cherish the freedom upon which she was built. I'll be sure to share my findings :)
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