Je Suis Charlie: Pens Up

I felt compelled to raise my pen in honor of Free Speech!

As a human being I am sick by the news out of Paris today. As a writer I am surprised, proud and angry. Surprised that in 2014 Freedom of Speech is still under attack, proud of the people who stand up for it and angry at the loss of life because of it. I raise my pen along with hundreds of thousands of others today in unity for free speech and the absence of fear,

I am so sick of people hiding their intentions, actions and obvious mental illness behind their religions and equally tired of entire groups of people being treated unfairly because of the acts of a few.

Muslim people did not attack and murder 12 people in Paris today, 3 mentally ill, misguided, hateful people did.

The writers and cartoonists who were murdered were expressing a fundamental freedom we all have (or should have), the freedom of expression / speech.

I did not read Charlie Hebdo but regardless of content or the perceived message the publication had the right to publish their views of the world, as I do, as YOU do.

MARTIN BUREAU/Getty

When did disagreeing with someones opinion equal murder in the name of an entity you cannot even substantiate exists? I will never understand. If you do not like or agree with what you read or what someone says, do not read it, buy it or support it. It should end there. Terror, fear, violence or hate will not silence opposition. 

I send my heartfelt condolence to the families of those who lost their lives today, those who mourn them and to the city of Paris who will not let fear shut them in their homes. Je Suis Charlie = I am Charlie. WE ALL ARE CHARLIE TODAY. I thank everyone who stands behind the right to free speech and those who continue to support it by publishing what they want. I know I will.

"I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."  - Voltaire