News Comment 7: When Do We Get to Call Someone a Terrorist?
The Atlantic Article: “When Do We Get to Call Someone a Terrorist?”
The Guardian Article: “What’s a ‘lone wolf’? It’s the special name we give white terrorists”
The article (guardian) deals with a very alarming and recent subject; terrorism and how we define it. Starting with explaining the events occurred in Las Vegas. the short information we have on the shooter leaves the public with a question should this be counted as terrorism or just someone with a mental problem?
An interesting wave of debate has been born thanks to the horrible events that happened in Las Vegas. Some claim that he was just a lonely wolf and can’t be categorized as a terrorist and other say he fits every definition of terrorist except being a muslim.
I believe we live in confusing times when it comes to definition. We are in the middle of a search for definition that our society is just not accepting yet. We claim to be so progressive and modern but the American society still tries to hold onto old believes that lead to social problems (racism, homophobia, xenophobia, etc.)
The American people have declared a war against terrorism but only if it’s muslim not american. As soon as information comes out that the man was white terrorism was out of the table.
as the article form the guardian explains “when asked at a press conference in Las Vegas if the shooting was an act of terrorism, Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo replied: “No. Not at this point. We believe it’s a local individual. He resides here locally,” suggesting that all terrorism is foreign in nature.”
nowadays college students are more likely to be killed in a school gun shoot that for a natural disaster. Everybody needs to open their minds and go beyond cultural significance in order to progress.