ISSUE ZERO MAGAZINE: LONDON: Silence keeps you safe, dare to speak

As Ursa Mega informs you dear readers, there has apparently been a “reporting” of the displayed picture that has been deemed as a sadist model.

When I learned that this reporting on Facebook resulted in the deletion of the image, many ideas surrounding censorship, freedom of expression, and women in the media circulated my cranium the way things usually do at first: in a chaotic state. And then, as the clock ticks, these fiery thoughts calm, enabling me to communicate more soundly.

So, here it goes. First of all, the way this reporting was handled strikes me as quite pathetic. Having grown up in the Middle East, I have seen first hand how little rights women have; especially freedom of expression. To this day, many female writers and artists in particular parts in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia are punished for speaking out. They are kidnapped, beaten, banned, and killed.

We are very fortunate to live in a country that does not punish us for speaking out. Granted, we do face censorship issues which will always bleed into freedom of expression rights and subsequently, criminal offences that blame the media.

In Canada, women are able to speak out without the same fear women in other parts of the world possess. The person that reported this image on Facebook could have been a woman—and in this case, I say, sisterfriend, you have something to say, so say it. It could’ve also been a man—and in this case, I say, find your balls and say what you want to say.

Secondly, when a medium such as Facebook takes down a piece of art such as this picture, we are witnessing censorship. This act alone raises tons of questions. What is art? Is this picture art? Is this offensive to women? Doesn’t the artist have the right to expression?

Section 2 of The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states that every Canadian has the fundamental right to “freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication.”Some may ask, “so a picture of a battered woman is art?”

Yes. Because it encourages speculation and debate. Do you know the story behind this woman? Do you know why she looks this way? Do you know why the artist chose to make her look this way?

The person who reported this image to the Facebook admins failed to critically think about this image in an artistic way. What if this woman witnessed the abuse of her child and proceeded to fight the attacker? What if these bruises are a physical indication of her victory? In other words, this woman could have been a survivor.

I realize that many may still argue that the mere sight of this woman advocates violence against them, or visually reinforces the concept of the poor, helpless, battered woman.To these people I write this loud and clear. WE LIVE IN A COUNTRY THAT WILL LISTEN. YOU DON’T ALWAYS GET THE RESULTS YOU WANT, BUT YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO SPEAK OUT AND TESTIFY. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO DIRECTLY GO TO THE SOURCE AND TELL THEM WHY YOU HAVE BEEN ANGERED BY AN IMAGE. FACEBOOK REPORTER, SLINK OUT OF THAT DARK CORNER AND SPEAK OUT. I DARE YOU. ~London