advertisement

Can all cultures be 'self-radicalized'?

The other day, I watched Charlie Rose interview one of President Obama's deputy defense advisers. The subject, in part, was Donald Trump's charge that the president refuses to use the term "radical Islam" to define terrorist attacks such as the recent one in Orlando, Florida.

The deputy adviser related how the president thinks that term denigrates all Muslims for actions taken by people who have perverted Islam. Thus the use of the term "radical Islam" could cause self-radicalization among some in the Muslim community.

Personally, I agree with the president's position on this issue. Hmmm.

When acts of terror are committed by Euro-Americans, politicians and the media ubiquitously emphasize the racial hate and xenophobia of such attacks. Is it possible that the use of these terms denigrates all Euro-Americans for actions taken by people who have perverted what it means to be an American?

Could the ubiquitous use of the terms racial hate and xenophobia cause self-radicalization among some in the Euro-American Community?

Is Donald Trump a phenomenon of self-radicalized Euro-Americans?

Richard H. Skiba Jr.

Palatine

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.