Saturday, April 3, 2010
The "T" Word
The article I read this week was titled, "Words as Weapons-Dropping the Terrorism Bomb" from the New York Times. It talks about how since September 11th, 2001, Americans have really learned to just throw the "T" word around like it is no big deal; like it is not an extremely loaded word that once someone is accused of being a terrorist that they will probably be branded one for life. People use the word far too open, in many cases when it does not even apply. People also use it when stereotying others. We have gotten in to such a habit of labeling people that it seems like to many Americans, anyone who is Muslim, could ultimately have ties with a terrorist group. The article talked about Major Hasan who went on a shooting spree in Fort Hood, Texas. He was muslim and was labeled a terrorsit for what he did. He was Muslim. If he would have been christian, would he have been labeled a terrorsit? I doubt it. This srticle grabbed my attention because in class we have been talking a lot about 'God' and 'devil' terms. Terrorism is definitely a 'devil' word. It seems like as of lately, more and more people are using the word and pointing fingers at people. If the accusation is wrong, it could really ruin a person's reputationa and life. We must be careful when dropping the "T" bomb.
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This was a great example of the different “God” and “Devil” terms that we have been frequently discussing in class. Terrorism, shooting, weapons, bomb, and many other terms that the article mentions are definitely all considered “devil” terms to many American citizens. I liked how you asked if the man had been Christian if he then would have been labeled a terrorist. People have a very strong tendency to associate all Muslim individuals as terrorists, ever since September eleventh. The “T” bomb if something that we need to stop using to freely and openly. I think you made a great comparison with this article and the terms we have been talking about in class.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with everyone throwing around the word Terrorism like it isn’t a big deal, and it actually is. After September 11th, that word is not something you just throw around in conversation, we all know what happened that day and we will never get back the people that were killed. I believe we also accuse anyone who is of Arab decent as a bad person, and people might joke that these people are a terrorist. But case and point, it isn’t funny and it’s offensive to describe all Arabs like that. But maybe people feel so strongly about feeling that way because of the terrorist attacks! It isn't fair though to go around pointing the finger at someone when you don't know the truth of the matter and who these people actually are.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with you about dropping the "T" bomb. lol I like that new term. People have to be very careful when labeling someone a terrorist. It seems like ever since 9/11, there has been an attack on the entire Muslim culture and religion and this is partly due to how Bush positioned his speech after the events of 9/11. The war on terrorism suddenly became a war on Islamic culture. I don't think this was an inadvertent move by Bush, a self-proclaimed Christian. It was a way of him to express his disdain for Muslims, 9/11 was the perfect outlet for that. Since the events of that hellish day, Muslims and other people who "look" Muslim and may be Christian have come under attack. Terrorism has been directly linked with the Muslim religion. 9/11 was the advent of a new stereotype for Muslims. We must be careful when throwing around the word terrorism as you've stated, it is definitely not something that is taken lightly in American culture. Basically once a terrorist, always a terrorist.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with you about dropping the "T" bomb. lol I like that new term. People have to be very careful when labeling someone a terrorist. It seems like ever since 9/11, there has been an attack on the entire Muslim culture and religion and this is partly due to how Bush positioned his speech after the events of 9/11. The war on terrorism suddenly became a war on Islamic culture. I don't think this was an inadvertent move by Bush, a self-proclaimed Christian. It was a way of him to express his disdain for Muslims, 9/11 was the perfect outlet for that. Since the events of that hellish day, Muslims and other people who "look" Muslim and may be Christian have come under attack. Terrorism has been directly linked with the Muslim religion. 9/11 was the advent of a new stereotype for Muslims. We must be careful when throwing around the word terrorism as you've stated, it is definitely not something that is taken lightly in American culture. Basically once a terrorist, always a terrorist.
ReplyDelete