Terrorism: evolution among the years
By Vivian Lau
The year is 1692. Rumors of people practicing witchcraft are spreading through Massachusetts like a forest fire. Your neighbor is being burned at the stake for practicing witchcraft on the children in town. She is dubbed a “public enemy.” People are being hunted down left and right. This is a new era of terror.
The year is 1941. For the second time, there is a world-wide war. President Franklin D. Roosevelt has signed Executive Order 9066 into effect, leading to the establishment of Japanese internment camps. Ads on TV warn us about Japanese- Americans. “Don’t associate yourself with them,” we are told. This is a new era of terror.
The year is 1951. American and Communist forces seem to be playing hot potato with Seoul. There are civil defense announcements posted everywhere, on sidewalks, fences, and even school walls. Their purpose: to instruct the public on how to act in the event the Soviets decide to bomb us— it is only a matter of time. This is a new era of terror.
The year is 1954. From our home televisions we uncomfortably watch the camera light reflect off of Senator Joseph McCarthy’s sweaty forehead as he denounces enemy citizens. We know to beware of RED. Who can we trust now? Even the US Army is under scrutiny. This is a new era of terror.
The year is 2001. Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh has been executed. On September 11th, you wake up to the alarm radio blaring news of an incident involving planes and the World Trade Center. You turn on the TV only to see two once-majestic buildings collapse one after the other. The president’s explanation of the tragedy: terrorist attacks. Beware, this is a new era of terror.
The year is 2005. Saudi Arabia has just held its first civic elections. News of President Bush’s consent to wiretapping is revealed. Is this the first time you’ve been under siege by your own government? This is a new era of terror.
The year is 2006. As a result of democratic elections, Hamas has taken over the Palestinian Legislative Council. It is time for American mid-term elections. In an attempt to avoid a response to its all-time low approval ratings, the Republican Party hides behind the news of missile testing in North Korea. This is a new era of terror, the government tries to tell us.
In 1692, the community used fear to enforce religious discipline. In 1941, the government used ads to brainwash people into being weary of Japanese-Americans. In 1951, the government created internal paranoia by warning the American people about Soviet threat. In 1954, the Red Scare was bred by Senator McCarthy. In 2001, panicked, the U.S. fell into the arms of power hungry George W. Bush. All of these eras were characterized, to a certain degree, by terrorism. Terrorism provoked by the government.
Indeed, terror is not solely driven by bombs or men in masks. It is heightened by government propaganda. The Homeland Security Advisory System, made public in 2002, has put the finger on the trigger of American people’s fear. The five levels of alert: green, blue, yellow, orange, and red dictate how people should feel. The government has trademarked terror.
In a hurry to rid ourselves of our fears, we have completely entrusted ourselves in our government’s judgment. And why should we not? After all, does it not represent us?
