Blaming extremism and terrorism on Western or Eastern imperialism could be a "feel good exercise" but I find this claim quite naive and unconvincing. If Western imperialism were the major cause of terrorism, we would see suicidal terrorists emerging from Vietnam, Cambodia, South Africa, Congo, India, Phillipnes, Carribean islands, Australian aboriginies and so many other places.
Terrorism requires weapons, funds, training, safe houses, - and most important of all - an efficient propaganda, a narrative of "us vs them" that builds on rage and hate.
Agreed with Tariq Ramadan that history should be understood, but there is "one true" narrative of history that is considered unquestionable by all sides. Facts are picked or omitted to fit into one's favorite narratives, and cherry picking of facts and building of narrative should both be freely discussed and criticized.
Fisk's article was not convincing. One Algerian-French attacker, so blame French colonialism. Another attacker was Belgian-Morrocan, so whom should we blame for that? If Vietnamese immigrants in France, and Indian immigrants in UK start killing random people because of their outrage on imperialism, these articles would be taken seriously.
Terrorism requires weapons, funds, training, safe houses, - and most important of all - an efficient propaganda, a narrative of "us vs them" that builds on rage and hate.
Agreed with Tariq Ramadan that history should be understood, but there is "one true" narrative of history that is considered unquestionable by all sides. Facts are picked or omitted to fit into one's favorite narratives, and cherry picking of facts and building of narrative should both be freely discussed and criticized.
Fisk's article was not convincing. One Algerian-French attacker, so blame French colonialism. Another attacker was Belgian-Morrocan, so whom should we blame for that? If Vietnamese immigrants in France, and Indian immigrants in UK start killing random people because of their outrage on imperialism, these articles would be taken seriously.
No comments:
Post a Comment