United States – Violence and Perceptions

November 7, 2017

United States – Violence and Perceptions

Padmini Arhant

How crimes committed through shooting and automobile used to ram over pedestrians are characterized in media reporting following cue from those in control of events in the world?

The horrific gun violence involving indiscriminate firing at people in the crowd whether during a concert in Las Vegas or attending prayers in a place of worship in Sutherland Springs, Texas are described as tragedy carried out by the assailant invariably suffering from mental problem. In both Las Vegas and Texas rampage there were at least twenty or more casualties and several injured from firepower. The Hollywood style Rambo aggression displayed in shooting spree on both occasions and similar crimes earlier is categorized as unfortunate happenings.

Juxtaposed, the killing of pedestrians using vehicle in the recent East Manhattan, New York incident by the offender identified a Muslim from Uzbekistan is termed terrorism. There were eight fatalities and some hurt in this incident.

The bizarre distinction on actions claiming innocent lives with one referred to as mental illness or some personal background issue related event while the other definitively pronounced terrorism especially when the attacker is a Muslim. The trend playing race and religion card regardless of political position left, right or center and so on in media outlets explains indifference to victims affected in gun violence besides the usual practice targeting religion i.e. Islam in this instance with negative connotation.

In the wake of East Manhattan killing, the media report declared the entire Uzbekistan, a Muslim country as a threat to the United States.

Interestingly, the press and communication media in Islamic nations whether in Pakistan or elsewhere – the English language press corps in particular never failing to respond to such references from non-Muslim neighbors in the region, now remaining oblivious to slander of Islam in media discrimination of violence in the United States is perhaps economic interest outweighing importance and respect for faith.

The discriminatory practice is a reflection of those having no value for life and lack of virtues exemplified in sacrilege of religion.

The crime committed using lethal weapons and any other means against unarmed citizens is terror and there cannot be bias distinguishing one from another.

Similarly, the murder of children, women and men described as collateral damages when exerting power and authority through artillery, predator drones and military force is terrorism in worst format.

The isolation of one comparatively with less wounded and fewer deaths as terrorism against massacre in violent gunfire episodes exhausting magazine acknowledged otherwise promotes mass killing without the stigma of terrorism.

Again, the violation of life and rights in whatever manner is a serious crime deserving condemnation and terrorism in contemporary era evolved from conventional warfare deploying arms and ammunition for maximum impact.

Since the culture is created to accept violence subjectively, society is expected to develop immunity to disparity.

Nonetheless, the victims plight in all these situations remain the same in dealing with pain and suffering inflicted upon them by those indulging in senseless act and abuse of power.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Author & Presenter PadminiArhant.com

Spouse in Divine Mission

 

 

Written by Padmini Arhant · Filed Under Featured, National and Global Security 

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