AmbivaBlog: A Muslim is Disgusted . . . and Not By the Danes [UPDATED]

This is the classic children's book, Goodenough Gismo, by Richmond I. Kelsey, published in 1948. Nearly unavailable in libraries and the collector's market, it is posted here with love as an "orphan work" so that it may be seen and appreciated -- and perhaps even republished, as it deserves to be. After you read this book, it won't surprise you to learn that Richmond Irwin Kelsey (1905-1987) was an accomplished artist, or that as Dick Kelsey, he was one of the great Disney art directors, breaking your heart with "Pinocchio," "Dumbo," and "Bambi."

Cal State scientist Jamil Momand slams his rabid co-religionists in the L.A. Times:

On Friday, I sat on the carpet listening to the sermon at an L.A. mosque. The topic was expected and familiar: a denunciation of the publication of the offensive cartoons that have had the Muslim world up in arms. I directed my eyes to the carpet so no one could see the disgusted look on my face. "Not again," I thought. "Don't we Muslims ever get tired of complaining?" [ . . . ]
Muslims only enlarge the supposed bull's-eye on Islam when we go overboard in our reactions to anti-Muslim actions. The honor of Islam will survive petty mudslinging without rioting.

Where do we go from here? Unfortunately, the damage on all sides has been done. If the Danish government offers an apology, Muslims will be viewed as bullies capable, through their use of violence, of squashing free speech. If the Danes refuse to apologize, the West will be viewed as the victor over a fanatic religion that must be put in its place. Either outcome spells disaster for Muslims in non-Muslim public opinion.

Something that, according to the historical record, the Prophet himself considered carefully, Momand says. The title of his piece can be abbreviated WWMD? and it has nothing to do with weapons of mass destruction.

UPDATE: I'm beginning to suffer from Cartoon Fatigue (Toonasthenia? or even Toonesthesia?), but this piece by Michael Stickings at The Reaction, on the radically different meanings of visual imagery in postmodern and premodern (much of Islamic) culture, was still able to catch my interest. (To us it's just a cartoon, to them it's a Khartoun? Ouch. Sorry.)

Comments

Thanks for linking to the Momand piece...really interesting. Although the controversy is tiresome, Charlie LeHardy has interesting things to say about it at http://www.anotherthink.com/contents/postmodern_culture/20060205_is_nothing_sacred.html#more.

Mark

Posted by: Mark Daniels | February 09, 2006 at 05:49 PM