We Are Charlie, We Are Paris Poem by Richard Theze
We Are Charlie, We Are Paris
We are Charlie, We are Paris
Through terror
They may seek to divide us
And wage war on our liberty,
To contradict democracy
And limit our freedom,
But still we stand -
And we stand still by the principle:
‘Liberty for the enemies of liberty’,
For they will not answer to us
And we will not answer to them,
Now or in future,
But to a court higher
In whose books
The people is one -
For, regardless of religion,
We are one nation.
And concerning those matters
Over which we differ,
The truth will out:
'Be no longer a people without minds -
We all are Charlie, we all are Paris'.
I am not a French citizen. But je suis Charli aussi. Anyone who supports the core value of democracy and does not bow down to the terrorists is a 'Charlie'... Thanks for sharing..
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4/26/2024 7:02:40 AM # 1.0.0.1119
Your poem affirms two core values of democracy: the first is stated in startling irony, namely LIBERTY FOR THE ENEMIES OF LIBERTY. An American politician (I forget his name) put it, I DISAGREE WITH WHAT YOU ARE SAYING AND WILL DEFEND TO MY DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT. That is a value the terrorists reject, The other core value is the sense of solidarity which is embodies in the chant, WE ARE CHARLIE etc. Your poem is a lesson in democracy and an anthem to unify its supporters.
Thank you for your comments Daniel. I read the line you mention in a newspaper after the Paris attacks last month. I wish I'd kept a note of which paper now, but, like you, I believe it has to be a core value of democracy. I believe that it was Evelyn Beatrice Hall, best known for her biography of Voltaire, who penned the words: I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. It is a great quotation.