Terrorism looking just like us
The moment when you realise that the story propagated by the incumbency is untethered from reality.
Dawning moments like these are popping everywhere. This is a good thing. All of us, including me, have been caught in the net of false beliefs and narratives.
I look back ten-twenty years ago and I wonder how I believed some of the things I believed. Yet I was convinced my beliefs were right. This causes me to wonder what beliefs I hold as true today will reveal themselves as illusions/delusions. Holding my beliefs with an open mind and heart is the lesson.
One of these still propagated untruths is that terrorism and radicalisation only come from those particular people. Since at least 9/11, those people have been Muslim. Before that, it was another group. And in the future, it will be some other other.
Terrorism and radicalisation live on every domain of society, every race, every religion, every creed. Usually in the minority.
There are as dangerous Christian terrorists as there are Muslims. Indeed, anyone who studies history might have to confront the truth that under the name of Christianity, the most horrendous, egregious and cruel acts have taken place. From the Crusades, to the witch hunts, to colonisation. The death count is in the multiple millions. And we can add to the mix the terrible sexual and child abuses, stolen children, murdered children buried secretly.
When the world watches, live-streamed, a nation still sanctioned by the West, enact terrorism on other peoples, the narrative of ‘who are terrorists’ must burst.
Like the word anti-semitism, the word terrorism has been overused to the degree it is untethered from its original meaning.
To be anti any race or caste is racism. A terrorist seeks to terrorise people and communities. Radicalisation can be religious, political or societal. Radicalisation is rooted in a sense of tribalism that excludes any opinion, belief, or action that doesn’t conform to the radical idea held as sacred. It requires a closed mindset.
Racism, terrorism and radicalisation are everywhere, looking just like you.
Until we see that people just like us are doing terrible things, we will remain in the us and them world. To keep conquered, keep divided. This strategy is the one that serves the dominant power.
All forms of terrorism, all forms of racism are equally egregious. We must name them for what they are, even if perpetrated by our ‘tribe.’
Photo July 21st 2025, Article published July 21st 2025
