In Western societies, there is a tendency to avoid labeling certain actions as terrorism, instead seeking to find excuses or mitigating factors, such as diminished mental capacity. However, hate is often a common factor in these incidents, whether it is driven by racism, ideology, religion, or other motivations. The person carrying out the attack is typically seeking to cause terror.
Victor Malm, the Cultural Director of the Swedish newspaper “Expresssen,” wrote an article about a recent attack in Örebro. He notes that at the time of writing, the motivations behind the attack were not yet known, and it is unhelpful to speculate or try to downplay the possibility of ideological motivations. Malm argues that the lack of information can lead to the spread of rumors and damage to public trust, and that language is crucial in times of crisis.
Malm emphasizes that the attack can be described as a man entering a school and killing people, causing harm to the victims, their families, and society as a whole. He believes that this act can be considered terrorism, regardless of the motivations behind it. However, he notes that when a white man carries out such an attack, people often seek explanations other than terrorism, and that this reluctance to use the term “terrorism” is problematic.
The columnist suggests that this reluctance is due in part to a fear of using certain words or making mistakes in official contexts. He argues that the media, politicians, and authorities often have difficulty calling things by their proper name, and that this can lead to a lack of clarity and transparency. Malm believes that the term “terrorism” should be used to describe actions that are intended to cause harm and terrorize society, regardless of whether they are motivated by a specific ideology or not.
Malm notes that in everyday life, people do not speak in technical or cautious terms, but rather in straightforward and honest language. He believes that this should be the approach taken in public discourse, rather than using language that reflects bureaucratic anxiety or ideological convenience. By using clear and honest language, we can build trust and understanding, rather than allowing distrust and confusion to grow. Ultimately, Malm argues that terrorism does not require a specific ideological program, but can be driven by a desire to cause harm and terrorize society.
