Terrorists Are People Too?

Bally Lee
ASA 002 A03
Blog #6

Updated 10/24 Assigned Reading on Puar Terrorists: 

In the article Monster, Terrorist, Fag: The War on Terrorism and the Production of Docile Patriots, there is a recurring theme referring to terrorists as monsters that need to be quarantined and individuals that need to be corrected. In both instances, there is a shockingly large amount of public support. I agree that in instances, there are serious crimes that must have some repercussions; however, I do not agree with the dehumanization of these individuals. Largely in part, propaganda since the start of international conflicts, has played a significant role in gathering national support. The sole purpose of propaganda is to make the enemy seem less humane and more of a negative presence which then makes it easier and allows the conscience to believe or act upon certain biased opinions. Certain words and presentations through media can sway public opinion and through this constant societal allowance, the whole perception of terrorists has been skewed and normalized. Questions I have include: Is it possible to stop feeding into mainstream media and stereotypes to become a more open-minded society? Also, what is there to gain by those who create propaganda and how does that compare to the consequences of overgeneralizing a whole race or country?

Published on 10/21 (before article assignment):

In the ASNE memo regarding the Patriot Act II, a central focus of the article was the explanation for the modifications of the former Patriot Act, under pretenses of national security and anti-terrorism protection. Due to the newly revised terms of the Patriot Act, there was a lot of criticism regarding the possible violation of the First and Fourth Amendment. Whether or not there was truth to the public address, I believe that instead of protecting the citizens in which it sought to do, it gave the government easier access to surveil potential "criminals", namely foreign and illegal immigrants. Section 101 relaxes the standards and reasons for an investigation and search. The government can use this policy to act upon any individual, specifically minorities, based on suspicions, not concrete evidence. The imposition of basic human rights such as privacy and equality come into question. Should minorities be treated differently based on racial profiling and "suspicious offenses"? What I want to know is realistically, did the Patriot Act, both the first and second, benefit the overall security of the nation? And if so, by what degree or measure? The United States is supposedly this huge melting pot of tolerated cultures, but how is that so if there is inequality and racism within the country?