Face of Terrorism: Face of Humanity
By 
In the aftermath of the Orlando massacre, some people find it easy to label the face of terrorism as an Arab face, a Muslim face. But terror has no race, no religion. Terror bears the face of all humanity.
Since 9-11, many have narrowed the definition of terrorism, with the implication that it is something new to this country; inflicted by outsiders. When I was a child, untold numbers of Black men and boys were snatched from their beds in the dead of night and hung from trees to swing to their death. Terrorist acts, not perpetrated by outsiders, but by the solid citizens of the American South—cloaked and hooded. Back then, the face of terrorism was white and Christian.
In today’s world, it would be irrational for me to label and hate every Southern white Christian. Those who label and hate every Muslim in America are equally irrational.
Terrorism is birthed from hatred. It just takes a subtle mind shift to cross the line and turn hatred into a terrorist act. Hatred must be normalized, justified, supported to turn into terrorism. The mindset of the segregated Jim Crow south normalized bigotry and racism, turning the terrorism of lynching into an act supported by many in the community at large. Bad as it was, that terror was localized to a predictable section of the country.
Today we live in a global community enhanced exponentially by the Internet. A lone disgruntled individual can find a sense of community in support of his hatred. The tipping point into an act of terrorism is always lurking with unpredictability.
Hatred is on a continuum from thought to word to deed. You and I will never escalate to committing an act of terror. But each of us bears responsibility for thoughts and words that contribute to the climate in which hatred is germinated, fertilized, and allowed to grow.
As we reflect on our thoughts of people who are different from us, we can monitor the words that come out of our mouths. When speaking of Muslims, Hispanics, LBGTs, Blacks, we can eliminate words of hatred and replace them with words of compassion, understanding and respect.
Let our thoughts and words contribute to unity and peace. Let the face that we show to the world be the face of love.
~written by Amy Bryant, Safety Harbor resident blogger
Author of You CAN Go Home Again
Your best blog! The whole nation needs to read it!
Thank you for your encouragement, Karen.
This is one of the most profound descriptions I have ever read on the subject of terrorism. I am sure Amy has been the subject of this hate in many subtle and not so subtle ways, not only because she is a person of color, but also because she is a woman in this society. I applaud her insight compassion and understanding.
Thank you, Judy for your kind words, and your depth of understanding.
I appreciate the depth of understanding that you are bringing to our much-needed conversation about terrorism and its roots. Often what passes as “conversation” is just an exchange of sound bites and unexplained terms. We need to take the time to ask, even in a heated conversation, “what do you mean by _____________?” Here, you explain what you mean by terrorism–with precision and courage. Thank you.
Barbara – Thank you for having given so much though to your in-depth comment.
Ditto Deb – you knocked this one out of the park. This is eloquent and kind.
Thank you, Nicole. So glad it came across that way.
Ditto Deb Klein. You have so simply and elegantly stated the issue. Thank you.
Thanks for your appreciation, Patricia.
Your best blog EVER. Nailed it.
Thanks, Deb, for your enthusiasm.
Wow – Amy. This is really scary, an eye opener – how close we may be to terrorism any time, anywhere; and also that we can do something to prevent it with our own, more thoughtful behavior. Thank you!
You always go straight to the heart of my message. Thanks, Gisela.
Beautifully said!
Thank you, Judy.