Cartoonists, don't self-censor your art    - CNN.comCartoonists, don't self-censor your art    - CNN.comBreaking NewsPlease select your default edition:InternationalU.S.MexicoU.S. EditionU.S.InternationalArabicEspañolMexicoSet edition preferenceSign inNewsU.S.WorldPoliticsTechHealthEntertainmentLivingTravelMoneySportsVideoCNNgoLatest NewsMust Watch VideosDigital StudiosTVCNNgoScheduleCNN FilmsShows A-ZAnchors and Reporters A-ZOpinionsPolitical Op-EdsSocial CommentaryiReportMore…PhotosLongformInvestigationsCNN profiles A-Z CNN Films: Life ItselfMorgan Spurlock: Inside ManCity of TomorrowCNN 10: Big IdeasThe Guns ProjectCNNMoney: Most Innovative CitiesChange the ListCNN HeroesImpact Your WorldQuick LinksPhotosLongformInvestigationsCNN profiles A-Z Cartoonists, don't self-censor your art   By J.J. McCulloughUpdated 1:34 PM ET, Fri January 9, 2015 (CNN)Editor's Note: J.J. McCullough is an editorial cartoonist and writer. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.Though we're told to regard the Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris as a story with relevance that transcends national boundaries, from a North American perspective, it's hard to understand its context as anything but impenetrably foreign. We can certainly empathize with the tragedy, and the monstrous, senseless slaughter of a dozen inspiring lives, but as an episode of political and cultural significance? Its characteristics are decidedly exotic.J.J. McCulloughPart of this is due to the fact that the United States and Canada possess no Muslim population comparable to that of Europe. The rising European impulse to "push back" against Islam  -- in this case, through vulgar cartoons that incessantly insulted the faith, its followers and prophet  -- can  appear weirdly chauvinistic, even petty.North America also lacks a satirical culture of the sort Charlie Hebdo embodied, in which vulgar insults are understood to be the appropriate language of comedic commentary.Cartoonist: Terror attack is personalCartoonists in North America increasingly do not see themselves as avant-garde provocateurs for whom no subject is beyond reproach, but rather, as cautious advocates for a particular strain of progressive tolerance. The cartoonists I know fret endlessly about committing sins of sexism, racism, and various other -isms of intolerance in their art and stories. They worry about drawing Obama's lips too big and female characters' waists too narrow -- not who they can get to hate them. Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosCartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosDouglas, Georgia – Artists around the world are paying tribute to the victims of Wednesday's attack at satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, among them four cartoonists. Artist Dylan Ross used markers to create the effect of colors bleeding. Hide Caption 1 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosMumbai, India – By cartoonist and animator Dhimant VyasHide Caption 2 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosBrooklyn, NY – By Micah Garen, American writer, photographer and filmmaker. He survived a kidnapping ordeal in Iraq in 2004.Hide Caption 3 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosNashville, Tennessee – Artist and author Cory Basil writes: "As an artist, I have a inherent fearlessness to express myself with my art, as did those who were murdered in Paris. There is fresh blood spilled on the ground and there is the immediacy with which another artist is ready to stand for (and in place of) the fallen. I am just an artist doing my part to ensure that art is freedom, to ensure that no one can silence the mighty pen." Hide Caption 4 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosParis, France – "Our only weapon against war and oppression is our ability to draw and preserve our freedom of expression," said Paris artist Marie-Clémence Rivière.Hide Caption 5 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosCatania, Italy – Italian artist Iaia Guardo shared this illustration on Instagram, inspired by Peanuts comic strip character Charlie Brown.Hide Caption 6 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosStaten Island, NY – Staten Island artist Vittorio Abanilla says he was "trying to create a mournful tribute to those who died for freedom of expression."Hide Caption 7 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosLos Angeles, California – Filmmaker and photographer Patrick Walsh made an exclamation point using pencils and shavings in the tricolor of the French flag to evoke a commitment to freedom of speech.Hide Caption 8 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosValletta, Malta – By Sebastian Tanti Burlo', an architect and illustrator, using "pen and ink and water color with a bit of indignation."Hide Caption 9 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosThe Hague, Netherlands – "The men who attacked Charlie Hebdo are congratulating themselves ... but the smoke out of their guns is forming a huge "I am Charlie" above their heads, showing that they failed as support to the media they wanted to silence arises around the world," said artist Marc Decoux.Hide Caption 10 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosSao Paolo, Brazil – By Brazilian cartoonist GilmarHide Caption 11 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosSan Mateo, California –  Artist Ani Eos chose the Statue of Liberty as her subject because "it's a universal symbol of freedom...It is also an emblem of friendship and a sign of the mutual desire for liberty between France and the U.S." She said she wants "to take a stand for every artist out there who has felt [threatened] for expressing him/her self."Hide Caption 12 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosNew York, NY – "Which is louder: The pistol or the pencil?" asks illustrator Annie Bowler in this piece, titled "Dual." Hide Caption 13 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosHighlands Ranch, Colorado – "Violence will not be able to stop cartoonists from doing their job," said scientist and artist Thomas Kodenkandath.Hide Caption 14 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosWashington, DC – By CNN anchor and Chief Washington Correspondent Jake TapperHide Caption 15 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosPrague, Czech Republic – The front page of Czech magazine Respekt depicts the patron saint of the Czech state, St. Wenceslas, internationally known as the Good King Wenceslas, declaring "Je Suis Charlie."Hide Caption 16 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania – By Natalie Hope McDonald, a freelance writer, editor and artist based in PhiladelphiaHide Caption 17 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosCleveland, Ohio – Illustrator Melissa Bollen drew the Eiffel Tower over an abstract piece. "I won't let the terrorists ruin the beauty of Paris for me or the rest of us."Hide Caption 18 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosParis, France – By Parisian illustrator and artist Samuel Eckert. The phrase at the bottom roughly translates to "Thanks for never letting us down." Hide Caption 19 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosJakarta, Indonesia – Nine-year-old cartoonist Sydney Hazel Jonggala posted this drawing to Instagram after she heard about the attack from her mom. Hide Caption 20 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosMarcellus, New York – "My heart goes out to the people of France. If those who carried out this horrendous act of cowardice truly believe it will prevent the free expression of ideas they are sadly mistaken," cartoonist Jim Brenneman wrote.Hide Caption 21 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania – By editorial cartoonist Tom Stiglich, Creators SyndicateHide Caption 22 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosParis, France – "I am very shocked as an artist that such an horror could happen. My pencil is a humble weapon," artist Helene Ducrocq said.Hide Caption 23 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosWashington, DC – "Thinking of our friends across the waves," CNN correspondent and cartoonist Tom Foreman wrote on Facebook with this animated illustration.Hide Caption 24 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosAtlanta, Georgia – By Saeed Ahmed, senior assignment editor with CNN DigitalHide Caption 25 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosCanberra, Australia – By David Pope, cartoonist at The Canberra TimesHide Caption 26 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosLondon, United Kingdom – The Independent's front page cartoon by Dave BrownHide Caption 27 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosMelville, New York – By Newsday cartoonist Matt Davies Hide Caption 28 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosGeneva, Switzerland – By Patrick Chappatte, editorial cartoonist for the International New York TimesHide Caption 29 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosMaastricht, Netherlands – By Dutch political cartoonist Ruben L. OppenheimerHide Caption 30 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosLondon, United Kingdom – By The Telegraph's MattHide Caption 31 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosParis, France – By French cartoonist Plantu for Le Monde Hide Caption 32 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosFrance – By French comic book creator and cartoonist Boulet Hide Caption 33 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosAmsterdam, The Netherlands – By cartoonist Joep BertramsHide Caption 34 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosWashington, DC – From Washington Post cartoonist Tom TolesHide Caption 35 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosIndia – By Shreyas Navare for Quartz IndiaHide Caption 36 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosChile – By Chilean cartoonist Francisco J. OleaHide Caption 37 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosUnited Kingdom – By illustrator James WalmesleyHide Caption 38 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosHalifax, Nova Scotia – By political cartoonist Michael de Adder Hide Caption 39 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania – By Rob Tornoe, sports cartoonist for Philly.com and the Philadelphia InquirerHide Caption 40 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosLondon, United Kingdom – By French graphic designer Jean JullienHide Caption 41 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosSantiago, Chile – By Chilean cartoonist MalaimagenHide Caption 42 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosFrance – By Adeline Francois, journalist with the French radio network RTLHide Caption 43 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosParis, France – By French artist Cyprien Hide Caption 44 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosBrazil – By Brazilian political cartoonist Carlos Latuff Hide Caption 45 of 46Cartoonists react to Paris attack 46 photosLondon, United Kingdom – By French London-based illustrator Lucille Clerc Hide Caption 46 of 46EXPAND GALLERYThe Paris killing raises an uneasy question: To what extent proponents of a free press should continue to needle an unpopular but vindictive minority? It's a question increasingly irrelevant to an American culture ever more prone to aggressive self-censorship in the name of preserving the delicate sensibilities of the easily outraged.I do not think much of those on this side of the Atlantic who are posturing so heroically in support of a right they've shown little interest in exercising themselves.Join us on Facebook.com/CNNOpinionFollow us on Twitter @CNNOpinionRead CNNOpinion's Flipboard magazine Shooting at Charlie HebdoComplete coverage: Terror in ParisThe investigation: Following the tangled web of suspectsWho were the victims?Who are the suspects?7 questions being asked about Islam How the Charlie Hebdo attackers were radicalizedMore from Opinion'Coming out' on climate changeHeed the lesson from Disneyland measles outbreak  Is India getting nostalgic over Russia ties?Powered by LivefyreNewsU.S.WorldPoliticsTechHealthEntertainmentLivingTravelMoneySportsVideoCNNgoLatest NewsMust Watch VideosDigital StudiosTVCNNgoScheduleCNN FilmsShows A-ZAnchors and Reporters A-ZOpinionsPolitical Op-EdsSocial CommentaryiReportMore…PhotosLongformInvestigationsCNN profiles A-ZU.S. EditionU.S.InternationalArabicEspañolMexicoSet edition preference© 2015 Cable News Network. 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