Freedom of speech and expression is a as Dutch as cheese and wind mills. A recent, iconic figure, Theo van Gogh, was murdered in 2004 by an islamic fundamentalist who did not like (or felt offended as it became fashionable to say) with van Gogh's movie Submission. This 10-minute movie, written by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, tells the story of a fictional Muslim woman who has been abused in many different ways. It can be interpreted as a criticism on how women is treated under Islam. Ultimately, a movie like this should be treated as an invitation to discussion, not an invitation to murder. If there is no freedom expression and flow of ideas there is no enlightment and we are all condemned to live in the middle ages.
The more we discuss our problems the closer we become to solve them. That is likely why Theo van gogh was mudered. His murderer's mind set belongs to a 7th century sect. What is worse is the fact that he is not alone.
A monument, De Schreeuw (The Scream) Memorial, is placed in the Oosterpark in Amsterdam, celebrating Theo van Gogh and as a symbol of the freedom of speech.
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