#USA TODAY College » Feed USA TODAY College » Comments Feed USA TODAY College » 'Hebdo' attack strengthens resolve of collegiate satirical writers Comments Feed alternate alternate USA TODAY College WordPress.com usa today * facebook * twitter * google plus * email POWERED BY [search.png] ____________________ * facebook * twitter * instagram * OUR PARTNERS * USA TODAY * PRIVACY POLICY/TERMS OF SERVICE * USA TODAY EDUCATION * CONTACT US Powered by WordPress.com VIP * NEWS * CAMPUS LIFE * CAREER PATH + GREAT CAREER SUCCESS DEBATE * COLLEGE CHOICE + THE LOWDOWN FROM COLLEGE FACTUAL * STUDY ABROAD Menu Menu * NEWS * CAMPUS LIFE * CAREER PATH + GREAT CAREER SUCCESS DEBATE * COLLEGE CHOICE + THE LOWDOWN FROM COLLEGE FACTUAL * STUDY ABROAD * facebook * twitter * instagram [search.png] ____________________ Menu * United States Naval Academy * • Colby Bermel * • Smartphone * • Principia College * • Cyber Security * • VOICES FROM CAMPUS * • Trader Joe's * • Career * • Spoon University * • Choosing A College * • UCLA * • University Of California – San Diego * • University Of California Berkeley * • University Of Southern California * • Stanford University * • Claremont McKenna College VOICES FROM CAMPUS 'Hebdo' attack strengthens resolve of collegiate satirical writers By Rachel Rosenbaum, Emory University January 13, 2015 2:30 pm 470 shares SHARE TWEET SMS SEND EMAIL Days after three militants stormed the headquarters of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, the world has joined together in the name of free speech. More than 3.7 million people gathered in France on Sunday, while all across social media, the hashtag #JeSuisCharlie has been used to show solidarity and support. The tragedy has sparked a discussion about the role of satire and free speech — a discussion that has included the editorial meetings of many student satirical publications across the country “It was a bit of a shock,” says Sachin Medhekar, the editor-in-chief of UCLA’s Satyr Magazine. “We all write comedy, we satirize things, but it was a shock seeing those words responded to with such violence.” Cover of the 'The Satyr Magazine'. (Courtesy Sachin Medhekar) Cover of the ‘The Satyr Magazine’. (Courtesy Sachin Medhekar) Shortly after the attack, Satyr published a response on its website in the form of an apology letter that lead readers to an error page. Medhekar says they wanted to give the initial impression that the violence had the power to stifle free speech — and then powerfully reveal that it would have the opposite impact. “We won’t apologize for what we’ve done and hopefully other satirical publications won’t either,” Medhekar says. Medhekar helped revive Satyr in 2012 because he believes so strongly in the power satire can have both on and off college campuses. Related: Student journalists respond to ‘Charlie Hebdo’ attack “Comedy is often a lot more digestible to people than the news and I think you really are able to drive home the absurdity or inherent problems of a certain system.” Medhekar says. Cynthia Counts, a first amendment attorney and Emory Law School professor agrees that satire is a vital form of free speech on college campuses. “These satirical publications provide students a forum for the free expression of their ideas and opinions and encourage students to openly confront and deal with the challenges of their time,” Counts says. Sierra Katow, a writer for the Harvard Lampoon, agrees that satirical publications are needed for democracy. In response to the attack, the Lampoon tweeted a cartoon demonstrating it’s belief that a picture is worth a thousand words. Our hearts go out to the families of those lost in the Charlie Hebdo attack. #JeSuisCharlie pic.twitter.com/WgX3p5UKiF — Harvard Lampoon (@harvardlampoon) January 8, 2015 “We felt that our style was very similar to theirs [Charlie Hebdo] and we wanted to show solidarity with them,” Katow says. Editor-in Chief of the Emory Spoke, Martin Sigalow, has seen satire trigger important conversations on Emory’s campus about issues that students are too afraid to bring up themselves. “It’s important social criticism because when we criticize the administration in their own words about uncomfortable topics its harder for defenders of unjust policies to mobilize responses,” Sigalow says. The Spoke has faced censorship issues, fighting with Emory’s administration to ensure the freedom of speech on campus. Related: Voices: Taking a stand for freedom of speech, religious tolerance During Sigalow’s freshman year, the administration removed one of the magazine’s posters and inflicted sanctions on its editor-in-chief. The satirical “wanted” poster called for the student body president to be brought in dead or alive — a move the administration believed demonstrated a willingness to inflict bodily harm on another student. While the conflict was eventually resolved, Sigalow still fears this type of censorship. “This was an obvious, flagrant attempt to violate our right to free speech on campus,” Sigalow says. Satyr had a run-in with the UCLA administration when Medhekar and his classmates first reestablished the magazine. The student media department wouldn’t provide funding because the previous comedy magazine had been too offensive. Satyr’s founding members had to build the magazine independently, which he now views as a blessing in disguise. “It was tough at first. But we really are allowed to govern ourselves and choose what we want to publish and not worry about what the administration thinks so it works out,” Medhekar says. Sigalow is a firm believer in the free market of ideas and he believes there is a line that shouldn’t be crossed. The Spoke aims to challenge those in power instead of kicking people who are already down. “If we’re making fun of someone that’s substantially inferior or powerless, then we know we have crossed the line and should back track,” Sigalow says. Counts believes this sort of thinking can be dangerous. “It’s a slippery slope when you start saying ‘what is OK in a cartoon?’ It [satire] is challenging thinking and ideas and that’s what the whole point of the first amendment is,” Counts says. While the attackers might have hoped to incite fear and challenge the first amendment, it appears the tragedy will have quite the contrary effect on these satirical publications. “Any real change that we make is letting the terrorist win. We will continue treading the line, we will not be deterred by the act of these terrorists,” Sigalow says. The attack has opened Katow’s eyes to the power of her words. “This certainly demonstrates the power of satire and I’ll keep that in mind more so than before,” says Katow. “I’ll put more effort and more energy into trying to understand the weight of what I’m putting out there.” Rachel Rosenbaum is a student at Emory University and is a spring 2015 Collegiate Correspondent. Charlie Hebdo, Emory University, First Amendment, free speech, Harvard College, journalism, Rachel Rosenbaum, Satyr Magazine, The Emory Spoke, The Harvard Lampoon, UCLA, VOICES FROM CAMPUS 470 shares SHARE TWEET SMS SEND EMAIL Related Stories 5 things you need to know Thursday News 5 things you need to know Thursday Watch: Students go off (really off) the record with Martin O’Malley News Watch: Students go off (really off) the record with Martin O’Malley 6 scholarships any student can win THE LOWDOWN FROM COLLEGE FACTUAL 6 scholarships any student can win Comments Recently on USA TODAY College 4 ways to jumpstart on your spring semester 0 reply 6m 4 ways to jumpstart on your spring semester CAMPUS LIFE· January 17, 2016 10:36 am · Maija Inveiss The first week of classes is crucial to ensuring that your semester is a success. 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