Terrorism doesn’t come in neat, clean boxes and we need to stop trying to put them there. The latest debate of whether or not the shooters in San Bernadino were self-radicalized or part of broader network is case in point.
Do we need knowledge of direct personal contact with a known IS leader to be part of broader network? I think not.
Broader networks include:
*The internet: Words matter and propaganda spreads in more ways than one, even if not easily directly connected to a known IS leader
*Families of Origin: Abusive alcoholic father of the man/fundamentalist father of the woman
*Countries of Origin: A culture within a country where some well-known factions promote terrorism, jihad, and suicidal activities as valid ways to express opinions
*Easy availability of weapons and ammo: U.S. among the most guilty in this department
*Ideologies: fundamentalism, Islamic jihad, Confederate racism, patriarchy, capitalism, socialism, fascism
*Mental Health systems/Personalities: fear, desire for notoriety, isolation, need to prove manhood/win an argument/control
*World Stressors: over-population, income/opportunity inequality, climate
*Language: how it is used, sensitivity or not to its impacts on others
In any given mass shooting situation, a complexity of factors are likely involved. Attempting to boil things down into one item or another: terrorism, guns, mental health..provides an incomplete picture for each situation and keeps us from addressing the complex of issues that must be addressed to make our country and the world safer.
We need to make it less easy for folks to obtain guns and ammo (background checks, safety tests, license, register, insure)..sensible safety laws that do not take way citizens’ rights. We need to stop generalizing and demonizing and start getting to know folks better as individuals. We have to address population, climate, income inequality. We need to provide more mental health support without stigma. We must better vet folks entering the U.S. and make the criteria for putting folks on watch lists more comprehensive.
No easy answers. We must stop debating linguistics and start addressing complexities. We need to try to elect public officials who have a broad vision, sensitive language, and who are capable of governing in today’s complex world.
Every mass shooting event is in some way or another part of a complex broader network. Being too simplistic or categorical about that doesn’t help lead us to the broader network of solutions that need to be addressed. The sooner we realize this, the sooner we stop pointing fingers at one entity or another, the sooner we take some steps forward, the sooner we will start saving lives in what will admittedly still be less than perfect world. We have to try for our own safety and for the safety of future generations.