By: Jada Thompson
Updated: Dec. 9, 2020
Originally Published: Oct. 4, 2017
We need to have an honest conversation about a pressing issue in our society. Following the tragic mass shooting in Las Vegas, we must confront a harsh reality. The perpetrator, who took the lives of nearly 60 individuals and injured over 500, is often labeled a “lone wolf.” However, the truth is he is a DOMESTIC TERRORIST. Why are we reluctant to use this term? The answer lies in his identity as a middle-aged white man. If he had been a person of color, the narrative would have shifted dramatically, with the term “terrorist” being thrown around without hesitation.
Imagine tuning into the news, anticipating the usual narrative of a brown-skinned perpetrator, only to see a white man’s face flash across the screen. Are you shocked? Do you find yourself feeling sympathy for the perpetrator, or do you dismiss his actions as the result of mental illness? This disparity in perception is alarming.
Since the executive order banning individuals from seven predominantly Muslim nations was signed, statistics reveal that white men are responsible for more mass killings than Muslim extremists. The frequency of white male violence is staggering, yet it is often downplayed. Just a few months ago, a white man drove into a crowd of anti-racism protesters in Charlottesville. Less than two months later, another white man opened fire during a congressional baseball practice. More disturbingly, a young white man traveled specifically to New York City with the intent to kill black men because of his misguided rage against interracial relationships. This is not an isolated incident; it’s a pattern.
According to research highlighted by the New York Times, since 9/11, acts of violence committed by white men have outnumbered those committed by Muslim extremists. Yet, whenever a white man commits murder, headlines seem to humanize him, portraying him as a troubled individual rather than a terrorist. In contrast, the man responsible for the Orlando shooting was immediately labeled a terrorist, while the Las Vegas shooter was described as a quiet man who enjoyed country music. This discrepancy is rooted in the color of their skin.
Take Dylann Roof, who murdered nine worshippers in a South Carolina church. He was not labeled a terrorist but treated with a level of care and sympathy that reflects systemic biases. In contrast, many men of color who commit similar acts are often killed on the spot by law enforcement, never having the chance to stand trial.
The issue at hand is not a problem with Muslims; it’s a deep-seated white male problem. These individuals have the ability to purchase firearms and inflict harm on others without facing the same scrutiny or repercussions as their counterparts from marginalized communities. White male supremacy is a pervasive threat, infiltrating every aspect of our lives. We are not safe in our schools, workplaces, or even our places of worship.
Why is the label of “terrorist” predominantly applied to people of color? This narrative serves the interests of a white supremacist agenda. By focusing solely on brown men, we overlook the white men who pose a far greater threat to society.
This is not merely a call for gun control, which is desperately needed, but a demand for recognition of the real dangers posed by domestic terrorists who happen to be white men. When will we wake up and acknowledge that the root of many societal problems lies in the white supremacist patriarchy? White American men represent a far greater threat than any immigrant or refugee you’ve been conditioned to fear. It’s time to confront this reality before it’s too late.
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Summary
This article emphasizes that the true threat of domestic terrorism in America largely stems from white men, contrasting their treatment in the media with that of individuals from marginalized communities. This systemic bias perpetuates a narrative that undermines the severity of their actions while amplifying fears around people of color.