Week 6: "Monster, Terrorist, Fag: The War on Terrorism and the Production of Docile Patriots" Response

Joshua Rivera

Asian American Studies 2 – A01

Week/Blog #6

The writers Jasbir K. Puar and Amit S. Rai focused on the notion of a terrorist monster that is created and facilitated by the acts of the government. Immediately following the attack on the Twin Towers, national outrage poured over the situation which fractured the nation, creating a strong dichotomy of black and white. I argue that because of the events of September 11, the government forced the nation to separate itself internationally and domestically. On a government level, Middle Eastern countries became the target site for the nation to not only eliminate its threats but to also take control of the resources and land that was present. This caused Middle Easterners across the sea to appear hostile, underdeveloped and weak. On a domestic level, the citizens of the nation began to separate itself from one another based on the notions of race, religion, and sexual orientation. It became a hostile environment because the preliminary idea that ruled the nation after the attacks was “there are others and there is us.” This meant that the differences people have from one another became more illuminated as a result of the war in 2001.

Question: If a terrorist attack is enough for people to feel a degree of separation from one another, then what is required for people to feel a sense of unity with one another?