The Error in Terrorism

This week, another country was hit by the despicable individuals who gather their armies of social media followers. Murder and terror are not a virtual game of hate; they go behind the racist jibes and cultural ignorance plastered over the Twitterings and Fatalbooks of people who cannot see beyond their own bullying nature.

These adults are still in the playground but they have guns and knives to help make their contempt a historical scar. How many of us will read the news and assume the terrorists are Muslim? Why is it not as alarming when you read that the terrorist is a white male? Is cultural vengeance right and due? The secret applauders will celebrate this victory and what they see as a social due.

When we don’t understand or agree with a culture or their religious beliefs; is it right that racism should be our return on ignorance? The day after 9/11, in the UK, a heavily pregnant British Indian woman was attacked with a trolley in a DIY store and the abuse came from a white man in his seventies. The woman looked around the busy store for help but every white face looked away and she made her way out of the store. The man had told her to get out of his country and called her a’murdering Paki.’

Terrorism is in our midst and it’s not always at the end of a gun. Racial and cultural abuse is seen amongst the police, schools, hospitals and on the streets. Children and adults are being targeted by the bullies who feel the need to defend their white supremacy as they see it. Sometimes, mental decline assists the crime and rationale is not present. School and college shootings have often been linked to depression or disappointment in life.

Colour plays the biggest part in choosing a victim and women or children are the easy targets for the cowards.Schools and the police are often ignoring the large numbers of reported incidences, claiming they are busy fighting more urgent crime.

As a society intent on inclusion and diversity, why are we ignoring the racism and judgments made every day around us? If you see or hear unkind, racist or terrorist remarks; do you step in and help the victim or do you move away? The Good Samaritans are desperately needed in this world. Children are emulating their parents and learning to hate or love diversity.

A few years ago, a news item appeared and white society laughed but the rest silently listened; a young boy was asked by his teacher to describe the type of house he lived in. He replied, “I live in a terrorist house.” That morning, his home was raided and his older brothers were arrested. The terraced house was a public joke and no apology was made.

Terrorism doesn’t always make the headlines and the haters will continue to inflict pain and verbal abuse on those who appear different to them. The real terrorists refuse to have empathy and they are fuelled with their own pride. Their consequence is seen as a victory and a place of honour in their religious afterlife or a badge of honour being remembered and copied by their fans.

Society shouldn’t have to ‘tolerate’ others as that seems like a begrudged obligation; we should coexist, have empathy and learn from our differences. Celebrate what makes us all unique; not what divides us.