Fuck, he isn't Muslim!
Some will suggest that paying attention to the fact that the suspected murderer in the Oslo blasts and gun attacks is non-Muslim is superficial and irrelevant. And they're right, it is irrelevant and superficial in some respects. But, words matter.
Let me list off the headlines from around the world this morning that covered the attacks in Norway:
- Associated Press: Norway attacks shock, disgust Europe
- The New York Times, USA: At Least 80 Dead in Norway Shooting
- CBC News, Canada: Norway attack survivors describe horror
- CNN, USA: Officials examine political motive for Oslo attacks
- The Guardian, UK: Norway attacks: Oslo hit by bomb explosion and youths shot at camp
- BBC News, UK: Norway hit by deadly bomb and shooting attacks
- The Globe and Mail, Canada: Death toll reaches 92 in Norway attacks
- FRANCE 24, France: Suspect detained as blasts, shooting death toll climbs
- Al Jazeera: Scores killed in twin attacks in Norway (clever play on the word 'twin')
And the list goes on...
A quick online search for the definition of “terrorism” shows this:
“The use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes.”
In all of the headlines above and so many others around the world, there was little or no mention of the word “terrorism” or even “extremism”.
Why not?
Why is it that when a white, non-Muslim, right-wing Conservative goes on a violent rampage we are cautious to use the word “terrorism”, but when a blast goes off anywhere in the Middle East, news agencies across the world feel empowered to label it as terrorism?
The answer is that the events in Norway do not fit into the traditional “clash of civilizations” theory that the media, so often erroneously attributes to international conflict and relations.
In a world where “getting the story out first” rather than “getting the story right” is more important, is it no wonder why many are beginning to question the state of journalism?
It’s easy to tell people a Muslim set off a bomb, no matter where it may be or why it happened. That story has already been written, and society has already formed their (misinformed) conclusions on those issues.
It is more difficult, however, to explain why a white European man would turn against his own people.
It takes more work to dissect Timothy McVeigh’s attacks in Oklahoma City.
It is more strenuous to uncover the motives of why a radical would open fire on an American congresswoman outside of a political gathering.
That is why events like those that took place in Norway are integral to this international conversation.
It is clear that an international discussion is taking place today that has the capacity to influence the manner in which communities view and live with one another in the future. Equally important is the fact that the peace and security of the global community is at risk. The world’s thinking has evidently changed since September 11th 2011, which was a devastating and emotional setback for many around the globe. International citizens are still – to some measure – reacting to that event and to other terrorist attacks that have taken place across the West. In spite of this, it needs to be made clear that the West’s relationship with Islam did not begin on that shocking September day, and we should stop pretending like it did.
The distress in the West towards Muslims and the challenges they are allegedly posing are multiple. First, there is a compelling international safety concern with the rise in radical and violent Islamic movements all over the Muslim world. Next, with the increasing flow of migrants from different parts of the world, questions of cultural integration and assimilation are becoming more prevalent. Finally, debate is beginning to materialize around the concepts of rights and freedoms and what that means for pluralistic societies across the globe.
Continuing this debate is necessary; however, contributing to a false division and framing an inevitable, irreversible, and irreconcilable clash of cultures and religion is both dishonest and obstructive to finding solutions.
There is no doubt that a clash is occurring, not between whole cultures or entire religions, but extremists and pluralists within different traditions and political ideologies. This clash is just as prevalent. It just takes a little bit more time and an ounce of courage to tell those stories.
My thoughts are with the people of Norway.
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(photo source)