Considering recent events, I think it’s time we address some things. Now before you drag me through all of Dante’s nine circles of hell for this, please be aware that I am not saying that I hate white people, but some things need to have some light shone on them.
Let’s just start off with the definition of terrorism. Terrorism is defined as “the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion” or “the unlawful use of violence and intimidation against people, especially civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.”. That definition doesn’t apply to some. Ask white men, they know best.
White terrorism is a real thing, and I’m not just saying that for the heck of it. I mean there’s Timothy McVeigh, Dylann Roof, Adam Lanza, Ted Kaczinsky, Andrew Jackson (because the Cherokee Trail of Tears wasn’t a voluntary trip), Daniel Cowart, etc. the list is extensive.
“There are just certain things that you can do, without repercussions, as a white man, that you would be murdered on the street for as a person of color.”
I’m just going to throw out there, that, yes there are Muslims, and other “foreigners” that commit acts of terrorism, but you’re roughly 293 times more likely to be murdered by a homegrown terrorist, than a foreign-born terrorist. Oh, and white terrorist attacks aren’t any different than other terrorist attacks, contrary to Congressman Duffy’s beliefs. Terrorism doesn’t come in flavors.
There are so many things that factor into white terrorism, but at the heart of it all is the privilege that white men (and women) have. There are just certain things that you can do, without repercussions, as a white man, that you would be murdered on the street for as a person of color. The fact of the matter is that if you’re a white man, you can rape a girl and get 3 months of jail time, while a black man can get murdered trying to sell CDs. Whiteness has a lot more privilege and power than many would like to admit.
