questioningeverything's Journal

What is terrorism?

Terrorism is not something we normally think about defining. It is thrown at us in a certain context. A context which we just accept. But what if we are asked to question it? No one approves of terrorism. Terrorism is defined by the people on the other side, say the US Administration. We are currently waging "A War on Terror." Terror defined by us. Defined and in so many ways created by the government. I just heard a quote which made me really think. It went something like this: Why should terrorism be defined by 9/11?

Terrorism has been happening all over the world for so long, but when 9/11 came it meant something, not because the US is superior but because we are the most powerful nation. The reality is that it has been happening around the world on much greater levels than it was performed in the US.

Now let's look at what dictionary.com defined terrorism as...

I want to examine the second definition. "The state of fear and submission produced by terrorism or terrorization." What does that mean? I was always told not to use the word in the definition.

Look at the third definition: "a terroristic method of governing or of resisting a government." So that is to say that a government cannot be partake in terrorism. What about a dictatorship or an authoritarian regime--or say a democratic one? If the government of any state is able to define terrorism as something that is against them, then it would seem we have a problem. This is a problem because if you put the power into the hand of one person and they cannot be questioned in some way or another it becomes oppression. Oppression is never responded to well, and it shouldn't be.

In the US media we are told day after day they there are terrorists in Iraq and throughout the Middle East. It has become a scare tactic for this administration to get the country to follow. I am aware that there are bad people out there, but we are not living in a black and white world. We are living in a vibrant, colorful world where the definition of right and wrong is indefinable by just one nation or one group of people. It is a world where context is everything. Right now, we are occupying Iraq. Many will disagree and even call me Anti-American for saying such a thing. Anyway, the thing is that the so-called terrorists who are blowing up things and killing people are not necessarily completely different than then our soldiers. I know that I am unaware of what it is like to be living in an occupied state. I am unaware of why these people are fighting against us. I do not know how I would react if someone walked into my house and started trying to control me. Now I know comparing an American solider to what our government has defined as a terrorist is beyond what I should be doing. But they are each fighting for a cause which they think is right (and in some cases the Iraqis may have a better idea of what they are fighting for).

I want to mention something about the military for just a second. There is this idea throughout the United States that we are supposed to support the troops regardless of how we feel about war. Now let me say that I admire what the military in an ideal way is meant to be: A group of people who are willing to put their lives on the line for you or me. That is amazing thing, but I am not a fan of war. I don't think it is necessary 99.9% of the time. We learn as children that we are not supposed to fight, we are supposed to learn to use our words to fix our problems, yet militaries are still a needed thing for most countries. Works shouldn't have to fail. I am not only critiquing the United States but the world. I respect the military for what they are willing to give up, but I think that it is silly for them to do so. There is so much they can do with their lives and bringing honor to killing is just not the way to go. It is unacceptable to kill, unless an individual is about to kill you and there is no other way to injure them in a nicer way which would allow you to get away. I am one of those people.

I was not able to stay for whole documentary because I had leave for work but what I saw of Arabs and Terrorism brought up this question. It was really interesting and I hope to get a hold of a copy to watch the rest of it. This is such a difficult to discuss this topic because it is one that is not questioned for the most part. It is controversial and a touchy subject for so many. But that is what makes it so important. Not every Arab is a terrorist and Americans can be terrorists.