The textbook definition of terrorism is ‘the systematic use of terror as a means of coercion’ another is ‘unlawfully using violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.’ So, Apartheid?
This definition in context of white South Africans and their oppressive actions extends to economically and geographically disenfranchising black people and other marginalized groups in pursuit of instilling white supremacy. The political aim is in fact white supremacy.
When a group is labelled as terrorists, usually the label falls to other people of their kind either by race or religion. Muslim people for instance are an entire faith collectively labelled as terrorists, a friend of mine was called “Osama” (by a group of notably white boys) throughout high school. This was something that we detested and denounced, however when nothing was done even after reporting this, she carried this stereotype like the scarf on her head. It was bigger than her. It was how the world worked, it was how the people with a lot of influence and their white forefathers had orchestrated it.
Black people are also currently collectively labelled as thugs – an under-toned variation of domestic terrorists.
White people often deny that white privilege exists and that in itself is a privilege. To be so accustomed and used to your ethnic advantages that you don’t even realize that they’re there. Another white privilege is not being labelled as terrorists despite apartheid, despite colonialism, despite capitalism that causes destitution of black South Africans.
In 2002 a white supremacist group called Warriors of the Boer Nation detonated bombs in Soweto, targeting rail way stations, petrol stations and a mosque. Another bomb went of in the Nan Hua Bhuddist Temple east of Pretoria. Later on the following month, two more bombs went off. Currently in the outskirts of Pretoria, an Afrikaaner, white supremacy group called Fatherland with race war ideologies is currently training “soldiers”, by the end of 2015, it was reported that they had 2000 trainees and counting.
While we’re still on radical extremism, apartheid was an advanced textbook version of terrorism and the title should have stuck. White people were a mass murder corporation and things like that should stick. It would stick had black people been the ones with a superiority complex. A 90% white owned economy means they are certainly depriving the majority of welfare, opportunities and freedom. Of course Apartheid which was undoubtedly terrorism, is still alive, in institutions, in systems, academics, the constitution and infrastructure. White people are apartheid beneficiaries and continue to reap the seeds that their fathers sowed. Fast forward today and white people dabble in generational wealth.
We need to be objective about terrorism and not use it only when marginalized or discriminated groups are involved. If Muslims and black people are capable of being inherent terrorists, so are the offspring and beneficiaries of apartheid.
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