Enough is enough
I bit my tongue during the cartoon uproar
But I can't bite it any longer.
Enough is enough.
It's been in the news all week.
It's been in the news all week.
An episode of South Park is coming under criticism. The episode features a statue of the Virgin Mary that bleeds "out her ass". Ten church leaders, from the president of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference to the president of the Council of Christians and Muslims, have pleaded for the episode not to be screened on national television in New Zealand. C4 Channel instead shifted its scheduled date in May to screen on television tonight to allow the public to make up its own mind about the episode.
I just finished watching it. Frankly I was outraged. Outraged that so much controversy had been kicked up over this episode. This is it? I couldn't believe it. I'm not saying it wasn't that offensive. But honestly, it's South Park. When have they not offended someone? That is what their success is built on. Everyday its overtly sexual and obscenely vulgar themes create humour through its profanity and satire of anything and everything imaginable. It is controversial, and it pushes all boundaries and cultural norms. But that's what South Park is, it has never claimed to be otherwise. It is satire, and that is part of our Western culture. South Park has even won an Emmy(2005) for best outstanding animated picture. We love to hate it. If it offends, you have the freedom not to watch it.
Yes, it is a sensitive period right now. But that does not give the right to spark off protests for everything thing that we suddenly find offensive.
Yes, it is a sensitive period right now. But that does not give the right to spark off protests for everything thing that we suddenly find offensive.
South Park has been on air since 1997. Where have the protests been when South Park depicted Christians as mindless lemmings willing to follow anyone with a religious message including Cartman dressed as a mini Hitler, or when South Park depicted every Catholic priest as a pedophile? If it is blasphemy to depict Muhammad in any sort of light, where were the protests when South Park portrayed Muhammad and other founders of other world religions as superheroes. Is it then okay if Muhammad is depicted positively?
I'm not asking for a debate about the cartoon issue. I am just pointing out that enough is enough. When does it stop? The cartoons added to further the insult of hostility and mockery of Islamic values that the Western society has shown towards the Muslim religion since the war on terrorism began. I'm saying I understand, I don't agree but I understand. But protesting against South Park, this is just getting ridiculous.
