The KKK is a particularly good example. It is primarily racist. If we imagine its polarity reversed - minority groups committing the same acts of violence and intimidation against the straight white Christians - it would have been terrorism. As it is now, it isn't. Why? Because it doesn't cause fear and outrage in the larger society, only within the well-defined minority groups that are targeted. Correspondingly there is not much pressure on the government either. So instead of fear and lothing the official response is firm but dignified disapproval.
Note that the above is intended to be descriptive, not normative. The danger of dividing the world in "terrorists" and "non terrorists" is that you get different ethical standards depending on the targets of violence.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-23 05:22 pm (UTC)Note that the above is intended to be descriptive, not normative. The danger of dividing the world in "terrorists" and "non terrorists" is that you get different ethical standards depending on the targets of violence.