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Seattle cartoonist Molly Norris lives with a metaphorical anvil over her head (she is, after all, a cartoonist).
Last month Anwar al-Awlaki, a radical Islamic cleric holed up in Yemen, declared Norris a target for execution. Her transgression? Earlier this year, Norris responded to a censored episode of Comedy Central's "South Park" that featured the prophet Mohammed dressed in a bear suit (Jesus and other religious figures appeared dressed as themselves). All references to Mohammed were bleeped after the network knuckled to threats by a handful of New Yorkers who dub themselves "Revolution Muslim."
Norris watched the bleep-filled, image-blanked episode and was repelled. To express her free-speech solidarity, she launched a facetious protest that proclaimed May 20 "Everybody Draw Mohammed Day." The faux sponsor's Twain-esque name? "Citizens Against Citizens Against Humor."
Sadly, at least among a select class of extremists, irreverence of the cartooning sort is a big no-no. And in the 21st century, satire can get you killed.
Norris quickly dialed it back and walked after an "Everybody Draw Mohammed Day" Facebook page appeared (created by someone she didn't know) and began attracting anti-Muslim bigots. Cyberspace rants and pornographic images of the Muslim prophet generated additional threats. By May a court in Pakistan banned access to Facebook outright.
At a secret, undisclosed coffeehouse, Norris said, "I didn't want to start anything. It was an expression in response to what had happened."
Norris's assailant is, as we are wont to say in the American West, a really bad guy. Anwar al-Awlaki reportedly inspired Nidal Malik Hasan, the Fort Hood shooter, as well as the Times Square car bomber. He's also an American citizen, however, and his father along with a team of human rights attorneys are working to get his name off a U.S. government assassination list.
Politically and ethically, the Norris question is as clear as it gets. "Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person," reads Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. By any measure, Anwar al-Awlaki's fatwa does violence to free speech, religious pluralism, and the sanity of Muslim Americans who are forced to explain and disavow a maniac (for the record, most fatwas are religious legalisms that don't call the faithful to race out and murder writers and artists).
So here's a case of a wanted terrorist demanding the head of a Northwesterner. Why, then, has Molly Norris been met by the mother of all silence?
After more than a month, neither U.S. senator from Washington nor the governor nor Molly Norris's member of Congress, Rep. Jim McDermott, has contacted her. No elected official has issued a press release or posted a statement. As Sen. Maria Cantwell's press secretary, John Diamond, said, "We have nothing to say about that."
Arguably, a condemnation would be nice, or perhaps a risk-averse, "As a rule, we typically don't approve of terrorists putting our constituents on hit lists."
Norris is left hanging. "I feel just out there," she said.
Editorial cartoonist David Horsey did weigh in and is also a signatory to a June 1 petition in support of freedom of expression. The final line of the petition reads, "In the United States we have a proud tradition of political satire and believe in the right to speak or draw freely without censorship."
I asked Norris if the muzzled political climate means that there's no longer a place for satire in a global culture, including the most offensive variety. "I don't know," she said.
The low-grade indifference to Norris could be a pained expression of Northwest culture, the dark side of Seattle Nice (and just look at how the debate over the Ground Zero Mosque dissolved into ad hominems).
" 'If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all,' has long been the city's unofficial motto," writes Knute Berger in his book Pugetopolis. "It is not a plea for civil discussion, but rather a recipe for no discussion at all."
Concerning the community response, Norris said, "It seems really passive. It almost drags it out longer."
Ironically there's nothing more illiberal for Seattle liberals (like me) than the cloistered world of al-Awlaki. Think of the death penalty or women's rights or freedom of the press or gay marriage. Are we like cultural relativists and anti-universalists fearful that we might indirectly arouse anti-Muslim sentiment?
In the wake of the Facebook uproar but prior to the al-Awlaki imbroglio, Norris pulled something of a Gandhi: She reached out to the local Muslim-American community. "It's something America needs to be conscious and proactive about," Norris said regarding interfaith dialogue. "It's been healing for me to meet more Muslims. I was distraught, and I didn't know where else to go."
If someone turns this story into a film it should be entitled, The Accidental Fatwa.
Norris is currently working on a documentary short about the hijab, the head covering worn by Muslim women. In addition, over the past few months Norris has corresponded with American University scholar Akbar Ahmed and befriended members of the Seattle chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and its executive director, Arsalan Bukhari.
"CAIR has a no tolerance policy for threats of violence," Bukhari said from that same undisclosed coffeehouse. Bukhari was offended by the Facebook response and echoed Norris that "there's a cottage industry out there attacking Muslims."
Today, Norris is under FBI protection. She lives a life suspended. "You internalize the terror. The fear is real, it's substantial. For me, for all of my life, I'll be on that list," Norris said.
It appears that Anwar al-Awlaki has achieved his goal.
How do Northwesterners solve a problem like Molly Norris? With the mother of all silence, at least for now.
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Comments:
Posted Fri, Aug 27, 5:32 a.m. Inappropriate
I absolutely support Molly, and I think that I understand her decisions in each step of this story about "Everybody Draw Mohammed Day." I support freedom of expression and I feel that Molly's point was stated with wit and respect. It is extraordinarily upsetting to me that her life has been threatened and I have written this opinion in the comments of several online publications, like this one. The issues that Molly addresses are about communication; the freedom and willingness to communicate, with respect, and yes, with humor, as say in a cartoon. Molly has reached out to everyone and now it's time for some of us to support her with the good will that she has always shown.
Posted Fri, Aug 27, 7:26 a.m. Inappropriate
"Who will speak up for Seattle cartoonist under fatwa threat?"
Uh, how about the peace-loving Muslim community. We're told the actions of the few are not representative of Islam proper; that we're not at war with Islam. No. So, how about that vast multitude who practice a religion of peace. Maybe we can get some denouncements, some outrage against the neanderthals that have hijacked their prophet? Somebody? Anybody?
(crickets chirping)
Posted Fri, Aug 27, 8:59 a.m. Inappropriate
Thank goodness somebody wrote this article.
Not to make any sweeping statements about a town or anything, but Seattle is PC to a fault, and PA to boot. Political correctness and passive aggressiveness dictate the terms of social engagement there. Nice folks, educated and all that, but basically up tight and inhibited. And definitely not up for getting down and dirty in discussions that might be controversial or tough.
An issue such as a woman artist getting mired in the mess Molly finds herself poses too great a challenge to the community. Her plight was too "icky" for nice folks to touch.
As familiar as I am with the town's timidity, I was nonetheless stunned at the silence for a person who is such a local treasure as Molly.
Posted Fri, Aug 27, 9:05 a.m. Inappropriate
First of all, the Dave Horsey article calls her Holly Norris. Is her name Molly or Holly?
Second, while I think that it would be nice for local politicians to privately express support, but I don't think that making a huge deal with statements to the media and the cartoonists face on local TV would actually make Molly safer. In fact, I suspect that just letting this quietly die away until everyone forgets about it is probably the best strategy. What function would a public statement from Patty Murray serve?
Finally, why the cheap shot at "Liberal" Seattle leaders? Have conservative leaders gone out of their way to voice support for the cartoonist? Is this another snide article that implies that because liberals don't spend 24 hours a day venting on how super terrible the Muslims are they must be closet terrorists? The fact that Norris is getting FBI protection and that the person that wrote the Fatwah against her is on a CIA assassination list indicates to me that the government is taking this fairly seriously.
Posted Fri, Aug 27, 9:14 a.m. Inappropriate
Good point sdstarr. "Speaking out" might help us all feel better, but it also seems directly counterproductive. (Not that the general quiet suggests any real thought)
Posted Fri, Aug 27, 9:47 a.m. Inappropriate
The reason that "...neither U.S. senator from Washington nor the governor nor Molly Norris's member of Congress, Rep. Jim McDermott..." has offered her support is simple. All are modern liberals (well, maybe not McDermott - he's just totally bonkers, which doesn't map well on a one-dimensional political scale). One of the core tenets of modern liberalism is a belief that Western culture, especially American culture, owes the world an apology. Anyone who dares suggest that we in the US are even remotely more enlightened than other cultures gets the cold shoulder. In the meantime, Ms. Norris is left to fear for her life for daring to smile at world events.
[[:->
Posted Fri, Aug 27, 1:54 p.m. Inappropriate
dbreneman's post reminds me of a class at a religious high school I attended for a couple years...when the fundamentalist science teacher explained evolution....splittle flying out of his mouth, no apparent clue about how the other side thinks...
Posted Fri, Aug 27, 4:04 p.m. Inappropriate
There is always something you forget to make clear in an interview --
an interview I probably should not have done in the first place as
the FBI will be disappointed that I partook in it but Peter is such a great guy I could not say "no" to him! If you ever meet him you'll see. Did you know he is Scoop Jackson's kid? That is so cool.
At any rate, the only people that I ever wished would have said something publicly about this debacle both me and technology got ourselves into was back at the very beginning of it all(May)I wished that the creators of South Park would have acknowledged that I stood up for their show and the spooky way it was censored. I mean, it was so creepy that you would have gotten mad and made a cartoon about it your dang self if you'd seen it. Alas! Trey and Matt have mortgages and don't want to look for new jobs which is so understandable in this economy.
Many people in Seattle did wish to take some stance for freedom of expression with regard to this deal but I asked them to please, no.
It was South Park whose silence was/is deafening; my Seattle pals were silent because I ASKED them to be (thank you!).
Man, isn't it the most BEAUTIFUL day today? I feel the tiniest bite of fall. Oh, and the spider webs of course.
XO Molly
Posted Fri, Aug 27, 4:13 p.m. Inappropriate
I am sad that one of my former students needs FBI protection. Molly is a first class artist and a very thoughtful person. The passive response from the community is based on, I believe, around the thought of not making things worse for her. It is all very well to stand up for freedom of speech, but are you willing to let someone else die for your views? What happened to Molly is an object lesson on how quickly speech can travel across the earth.
Let me be very clear, calling for Molly's death is not Islam but fanaticism. I abhor fanaticism in all religions, yet I feel helpless as to what to do to support Molly in this dark hour.
Posted Fri, Aug 27, 4:22 p.m. Inappropriate
(Hi Steven!)
Yeah a blogger had a fun idea of making a pin or something that says "I am Molly Norris" -- all, like, Spartacus-y. Molly
aka
Posted Fri, Aug 27, 7:16 p.m. Inappropriate
I'll wear that button Molly! Thinking about you lots these odd days!
-aka
Molly / Harold
Posted Fri, Aug 27, 8:46 p.m. Inappropriate
I can't speak for Washington's Congressional delegation, but I can speak for myself. I've seen enough other sorts of "culture wars", debates over such matters as prayer in school and the pledge of allegiance that I know best to steer clear of them, or at least proceed with extreme caution. Such debates usually being with a presumption of bad faith--fundamentalist Christians want to impose a theocracy or militant atheists want to ban all religion--and the absurdities begin to fly.
I've watched with some concern about what looks like a much more strident culture war, if such a thing can be imagined, going on in Europe, and I have no enthusiasm to see it play out in the US. I would rather just ignore the issue, as I'm sure do Murray, Cantwell, and McDermott. Ignoring the issue is a reasonable response for an ordinary citizen such as myself, but unfortunately is not a good option for an elected official.
As for elected officials, issuing statements of condemnation, and perhaps explaining what concrete actions they will take to protect their constituents, if there are any that are reasonable, is probably a wise thing to do. If nothing else, it will provide some reassurance to Ms. Norris and anyone else who might be threatened. But they need to be careful about wading too deep into what will ultimately turn out to be intractable layers of hostility between different groups.
Posted Sat, Aug 28, 11:14 a.m. Inappropriate
"The passive response from the community is based on, I believe, around the thought of not making things worse for her."
The above is understandable and probably represents the thinking of a lot of us. However the experience of western european nations who have been "absorbing" Muslim immigration for much longer than we have and at proportionally greater numbers is not encouraging. The Muslim population of europe is perhaps less integrated now than it was thirty years ago. I believe wearing the burka and hajib (?) is more common in France and Germany now than it was a decade ago- partly due to increased muslim population no doubt- but also due to increased acceptance among Muslims of more conservative (and combative) doctrines. Meanwhile American satirists (not necessarily Ms. Norris) should probably stick with ridiculing Evangelicals and the Pope. It is clearly safer and will generate more approval and support hereabouts. A good and timely article by Mr. Jackson, thank you.
Posted Sat, Aug 28, 8:44 p.m. Inappropriate
Just one question. Why--at this point in our culture wars, after Theo vanGogh's murder, after many fatwas being issued and after a certain novelist had to hide out for years--why would anyone be naive enough to not understand that doing this would get them in trouble with Islamic fundamentalists?
Posted Sat, Aug 28, 8:58 p.m. Inappropriate
The point, Sarah, is that in a free society, people shouldn't have to worry about "getting in trouble" with fundamentalists of any stripe, foreign or domestic. The "professionally offended", no matter what their agenda, should be impotent. Sadly, we're ceding them too much power over us.
[[:->
Posted Mon, Aug 30, 9:02 p.m. Inappropriate
That's not what I questioned, Dbrememan. wondered why, at this point, anyone would be naive enough to be shocked when they're criticized by fundamentalists.
The world is not a free society, and fundamentalists are not impotent. If you can think of some way to effect that, let us know. Until then, you make fun of fundies, you get a reaction.
Posted Mon, Aug 30, 9:42 p.m. Inappropriate
If Molly needs a place to hide or hole up give me a jingle. Reading several autobiographies (one being Ayaan Hirsi Ali's) tells me that the fatwa can go on for ever unless some body more powerful cancels it so the potential threat is life time.
Posted Fri, Sep 3, 11:05 a.m. Inappropriate
No one seemed to mind when Gary Larson drew Mohammad into the Far Side
http://i.imgur.com/T8SKD.jpg
Posted Wed, Sep 15, 3:04 p.m. Inappropriate
The latest:
http://blog.seattlepi.com/thebigblog/archives/221489.asp
'Norris is essentially entering the witness protection program, but without government assistance. That involves "moving, changing her name, and essentially wiping away her identity."'
Posted Fri, Sep 17, 4:46 a.m. Inappropriate
Just read the bad news about Molly Norris in today's NYTimes. From abroad, it is sad to see fellow Americans' civil liberties dictated to and restricted once again by a criminal imam who has already caused one mass murder in the US and tried to bring down a plane in Detroit last December. Some thoughts: what can one do? In a way, the extremists are stronger since they are willing to die over a silly representation, and we are not. But defending the first amendment in other ways might be useful. I would be in favor of as large a public demonstration as possible on a major artery that made clear the proponents were not desecrating the Prophet but clearly stating our strong support for the first amendment and rejecting the kind of intimidation seen in the case of Molly Norris, the demo would be a protest against this kind of Islamism and a call to moderate American Muslims to join the movement and publicly reject Islamic extremism. The cowardly hitmen sent out by Islamism nearly always attack single, isolated, defenseless people -- as you may have noticed -- so a group, or party would have a better chance of survival. As for me, I am really tired of hearing of attacks and murders on mostly thoughtful and peaceful people– cartoonists, authors, publishers and journalists – without whom our cultural life would be a lot less interesting. We need to form a political party or lobby to save the First Amendment, express our outrage at attempts to control our minds and press and above all, break the kind of shameful silence described here. Any opinions on that?
This incident should also erase doubts in the minds of some over the justice of the current US effort to assassinate the author of that fatwa.
Posted Fri, Sep 17, 9:10 a.m. Inappropriate
It's me again with after thoughts. It may have seemed presumptuous for me an expatriate (temporarily) to recommend political action to people back home while I sit here in a foreign country insulated from such. Also my nom de guerre -- whh I must use here may raise suspicions. However, I want to add this to my suggestion of legal political action against the Islamists. I think it is a shame that we members of a free society can't think of a way to express our ideas and feelings on Islam, Islamism and the Prophet-- in spite of the threat. Keep in mind that Chancellor Merkel just the other days had the guts to honor the Danish cartoonist Kurt Westergaard. We need more like her in office in the US! Bravo, Angelika! If we folks on the grassroots level show that cowardice isn't popular and that the first amendment means something to us, then our politicos might take heart. We have a tremendous advantage over the utterer of murderous threats --we live in a free society (and this is what probably most galls the former US citizen) -- and can dream up forms of public action that are totally beyond the ken of the Islamists hiding from the police in failed states. With intelligence and imagination, I'm sure we could make our point that freedom is superior to slavery. But not without risk of course. If Americans could rise up and make the point en masse that we reject censorship of our abilities to express ourselves -- what we really think about Islam and Islamism without descending to insults then people like the narrow minded utterer of fatwas would be defeated. If not, and if we keep running for cover, the fanatics will think they're winning and heap even more humiliations on us. Maybe a few more people will need to join Molly in the underground b efore this is all over.
Posted Tue, Sep 21, 8:42 p.m. Inappropriate
Seattle!! Please stop talking about Molly Norris! There is no story here! Seattle has so many more cutting edge issues to worry about. There's the spotted owl disappearing from Elliott Bay, there's global warming pushing out the favored fumes of hempfest, there's turning the viaduct into a bike path, there's eeevil republican men in white patented leather shoes and their behive hairdoo wives, there's a shortage of tattoo ink on Capital Hill, there's Dan Savage's latest letter about the guy with the zhozhozho inch quwocku. Sheesh, forget about Molly Norris and her tiddly-wink world. Let's get back to those risky, cutting edge, issues that demand all our full commitment and genuine confrontation.