Always call her “controversial”
Protesters in Australia raised the ante enough that Ayaan Hirsi Ali decided not to risk it. The Guardian joins the fun by phrasing its reporting in such a way that it bullies her too.
The controversial speaker and vocal critic of Islam Ayaan Hirsi Ali has blamed the last-minute cancellation of her speaking tour of Australia and New Zealand on “a succession of organisational lapses” by the event organiser.
What a calculatedly obnoxious way to put it. People made such a fuss about her speaking that she decided not to go, and that’s what they should have led with.
The 47-year-old Somali-born activist, author and former politician has previously received death threats for her strident criticism of Islam.
It’s not strident. The Guardian shouldn’t be joining in the bullying of her by calling it that. People should be allowed to criticise Islam.
Hana Assafiri, a Melbourne Muslim activist who had campaigned against Hirsi Ali’s appearance, told Guardian Australia Hirsi Ai was being held accountable for her “divisive discourse”.
“What I think is this is an opportunity for her to rethink her position … which peddles hate towards people.
“To me this is one of the hallmarks of democracy: where people have a right of reply.”
Reply, yes, but reply isn’t all there was.
Protests had been organised outside the venues at which Hirsi Ali was due to speak to coincide with her appearances.
Last month the Think Inc spokeswoman said one protester had been contacting insurance companies in an attempt to get the company’s insurance cancelled. Think Inc had been working with Australian Federal Police and state police to ensure the security of the events.
That’s not just “reply,” is it.
It’s controversial to suggest that women could be treated better; it’s not controversial to make them wear a sack and cover their hair, and require a male with them at all times, and cut their genitals, and refuse to let them drive, and…and…and…
“To me this is one of the hallmarks of democracy: where people have a right of reply.”
So go to the event, listen to Hirsi Ali, then raise objections in the Q&A. Causing such a fuss that someone doesn’t speak at all is not replying; this would leave the possibility for a counter-reply.
That there is a striking convergence on Hirsi Ali’s silencing among so many of differing political stripes is most encouraging.One of the rare instances/issues that transcends politics. Where one lines up with regards to Hirsi Ali’s right to speak separates the grain from the chaff, no matter your position on the left/right spectrum. You are either FOR free-speech or you are not…no matter your politics
https://www.steynonline.com/7740/the-big-shut-up
What a bunch of chicken shits.
I’ve gotten to the point that when I read “strident” in an article about a woman, I’m automatically substituting the words “accurate and damning”. It’s got a higher level of accuracy than leaving the original wording intact.
A decade ago they were pinning notes to the bodies of her friends, and now they’re using ‘safe spaces’ to keep others from hearing her speak.