Race And The Meaning Of Terror (VIDEO)

Source: Fusion:  Why is it when persons who happen to have ‘Muslim’ sounding names, who commit mass acts of violence are easily deemed terrorists by the mass media.   White people who do the same thing are not? 
The mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub revealed the subtle biases in the language that public officials use to define terror and who is eligible to perpetrate it.

It was a matter of hours on Sunday before local authorities and national politicians began labeling Omar Mateen, the gunman, an Islamic terrorist. In some cases the label was applied even before law enforcement officials began telling reporters that Mateen had pledged allegiance to ISIS during the attack.

His Muslim name and Afghan ethnicity were enough to make that call.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., condemned “this heartbreaking act of terrorism.” Mentioning Mateen’s “Afghan heritage,” former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee warned “self-hating liberals” of worse to come if they do not realize the dangers of “radical Islam.” Even more pronounced in his language was Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas: From 9/11 to the Boston Marathon, from Fort Hood to Chattanooga, from San Bernardino to last night’s horrific attack in Orlando, radical Islamic terrorism has declared jihad on America.” 

Last year, however, few politicians used the word “terrorist” to describe Dylann Roof, who murdered nine people in a black church in Charleston, South Carolina. Rubio’s first response was to say that he was “saddened by the news from Charleston.” Cruz’s statement the next day did not mention terror. He was making gun jokes within a week.

Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina described Roof as “one of these whacked-out kids,” and Gov. Nikki Haley expressed bafflement as to his motivation.  Roof had expressed hatred for black people, and was photographed burning an American flag and proudly holding a Confederate one.

Why the difference in treatment between Mateen and Roof?  - Read More  

Orlando, race, and the meaning of terror | Fusion - More

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