In the years since 9/11, the words “terrorism” and “terrorist” have become ingrained in our consciousness. We are inundated with images of horrific mass attacks, often linked to extremist groups with the intent to kill. These acts are usually associated with individuals who are willing to sacrifice their lives for a cause. However, the culprits are rarely white men.
Interestingly, the Department of Homeland Security has identified white supremacists as the most significant terror threat facing the United States today. According to the Homeland Threat Assessment released last October, “Since 2018, white supremacists have conducted more lethal attacks in the US than any other domestic extremist movement, showing a persistent intent to target racial and religious minorities, the LGBTQ+ community, politicians, and advocates of multiculturalism.”
Despite this reality, when white men engage in acts of violence—such as bombings or mass shootings motivated by ideologies rooted in racism or hatred—the media seldom labels them as “terrorists.” The disparity in terminology raises questions.
To clarify, the FBI defines domestic terrorism as a violent crime intended to promote a specific belief about issues in America. CBS News expands on this, stating that domestic terrorism includes actions taken by individuals or groups inspired by extremist ideologies based in the U.S. Furthermore, the USA Patriot Act from 2001 outlines domestic terrorism as acts that intimidate or coerce civilian populations or influence government policy through destruction, assassination, or kidnapping.
The essence of these definitions suggests that for someone to be labeled a “domestic terrorist,” their actions must cause significant damage, or at least be intended to do so, and must be tied to a particular ideology.
However, the narrative surrounding acts of domestic terrorism frequently shifts based on the race of the perpetrator. For instance, in 2010, a Somali teenager’s foiled attempt to bomb a Christmas tree lighting in Portland, Oregon, was quickly branded as terrorism. Reports scrutinized his background and highlighted his immigrant status and his use of the phrase “Allahu akbar” during his arrest.
In contrast, consider Dylann Roof, who infamously took the lives of nine worshippers at Charleston’s Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in 2015. Roof left behind a manifesto detailing his racially charged motives, yet when he was apprehended, he was treated with a level of care and considered to have “mental issues.” Very few headlines referred to him as a domestic terrorist, despite fitting the criteria.
The contrast is stark. A Washington Post article pointed out that white shooters are often described as “lone wolves,” while violence attributed to people of color is considered systemic. This distinction contributes to the narrative that shapes public perception.
Most recently, the Nashville bomber, Anthony Warner, has been portrayed in the media as a computer technician and animal lover rather than a terrorist. Reports suggest that he intended “more destruction than death,” as he warned people before detonating a bomb, causing extensive damage and injuries. His actions, similar to those of others who have been labeled terrorists, raise the question of why he is not given the same label.
This disparity matters because it poses a threat to racial and ethnic communities, particularly those already marginalized. Zainah Patel, a city council member in Nashville, expressed concern about the backlash faced by communities of color following acts of violence. She noted that if the perpetrator had been a person of color, the response would have been drastically different, leading to increased harassment and hostility.
The media’s portrayal of Warner as merely a polite technician who “perished in the bombing” illustrates the racial bias that influences public discourse. This raises the question: Why do we label acts of violence differently based on the race of the perpetrator? The answer lies in ingrained societal biases.
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- Domestic terrorism definitions
- Media portrayal of terrorists
- Racial bias in crime reporting
- White supremacy as a terror threat
- Nashville bombing impact
In summary, the different narratives surrounding acts of violence based on the race of the perpetrator reflect deep-seated biases in society. This inconsistency not only affects public perception but also has real-world implications for marginalized communities.