It is an appalling situation when an institution of higher learning--presumably committed to encouraging free inquiry, free debate and free speech --engages in censorship because one group or another complains that they are offended. But this is exactly what it has come to in the politically correct halls of academia.
On the PC Victimhood Heirarchy, the absolute worse offense seems to be hurting muslim feelings. As the highest ranking victim group, their feelings always trump other religious groups' feelings.
We see liberal institution after institution in this country fearful of taking a stand for free speech and free thought--especially when Islam is involved. Normandi's art is only one example of the abject self-imposed censorship implemented in Western societies in an effort to appease. The most notorious example of such censorship came from the Mohammed cartoon controversy, when many media outlets refused to reprint some harmless cartoons depicting Mohammed, simply because it might offend muslims.
There is another reason why colleges like Harper and others, as well as MSM outlets routinely yield to the most outrageous demands of these muslim groups.
Remember the chess scene from Star Wars where R2D2 and Chewbacca are playing?
THREEPIO: He made a fair move. Screaming about it won't help you.
HAN: (interrupting) Let him have it. It's not wise to upset a Wookiee.
THREEPIO: But sir, nobody worries about upsetting a droid.
HAN: That's 'cause droids don't pull people's arms out of their socket
when they lose. Wookiees are known to do that.
THREEPIO: I see your point, sir. I suggest a new strategy, Artoo. Let
the Wookiee win.
Well, when it comes to dealing with muslim groups, the new strategy of our brave universities and media is to always let Islam win. (and, btw, I don't mean to insult fictional Wookies by the comparison).
Because, when one is dealing with muslim groups these days, there is always the unspoken threat of unleashing the mindless violence and butchery that has become the international hallmark of the extremists in their sad religion. The widespread rage at the Mohammed cartoons in the muslim world reminds us not only how backward and barbaric are the underpinnings of the "religion of peace" as it is practiced in many parts of the world, but also how willing many muslims and etremist groups are to back up their particular opinions by killing any who disagree with them.
I have written many times on the oppression of women under Islam (here, here, here, and here for example). The institutional misogyny that encourages the subjugation and humilition of women in the Islamic world (and even encourages and enables the murder of women as a means of regaining male or family "honor") is a byproduct of a culture that is terrified of female sexuality. The males have no other way to obtain power except by subjugating women under the guise of "protecting" them.
From a symposium about "The Unveiled Woman":
In Muslim society the male is dominant and almighty since he is made after God, when women have been created as a necessary evil to tempt males. In other words, the female body is the closest thing to the Devil, something which has to be dominated as a proof a faith.
As I have suggested before, the religious police in those societies are obsessed with sex; and therefore see threatening sexuality everywhere; yet they insist that Western society is the one obsessed with sex. I beg to differ.
At any rate, Normandi was kind enough to honor me with an exclusive preview of several photos from the next exhibit set for fall, 2006, titled "Desire No Shackle".
What I like most about Normandi's photos is explicitly powerful sexuality in the women that breaks through the societal restrictions. This must truly be extremely frightening to many of the pathologically inadequate men of Islam.
Enjoy.
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