Newswise — With the recent killing of Osama Bin Laden, the details of his death and the impact of it has come to the forefront. The reality is that terrorism will not go away simply because of one high-profile terrorist’s death. Terrorism has been in existence for millennia dating back to the Greeks and Romans. Soldiers, guns, and stealth helicopters may have had an immediate impact on bringing a terrorist leader like Bin Laden to justice. But in the long run, it’s our understanding and tolerance of each other that will have the biggest impact on reducing global terrorism.
Acts of terrorism not only take human lives, but can also disrupt, reorder, or destroy the status quo. Terrorism is not easy to simply define. It’s a tactic, a strategy, a crime, and to some, a holy duty. Terrorism is a nebulous concept that has significant negative impact on such things as the economy, education, and normal ways of life. There’s always a deep psychological impact on a population that has been impacted by a terrorist act.
Through violence, terrorists instill fear and intimidation on a society. This fear has influences beyond the actual terrorist act itself. It can paralyze a population in such ways that they do not want to travel or even go outside their immediate regional comfort zone. We cannot let terrorists do that. We as a society must go on despite the ongoing threat.
Now that Bin Laden is dead, there’s a furious debate as to whether the Obama Administration should release photos of his remains. That’s a waste of time. We should be focused instead on individual preparedness and alertness to the world around us.
Being prepared for another attack is important. But perhaps more important is for us to strive to understand each other, respect our differences, and embrace each person as a unique and valued member of the human race. Terrorism throughout history is most often driven by political ideology, religious extremism, radical nationalism and intolerance for differences.
Tolerance and understanding can help to minimize those indifferences that lead to terrorism. Radical groups believe terror is morally justified to achieve their goals and promote their beliefs. This violence is often exacerbated by counter intolerance and criticism. Let’s try to turn that around through our individual actions of understanding and respect. We need to realize that the reality of terror throughout history can only be diminished by our own actions of tolerance and respect.
Cecilia F. Rokusek, Ed.D., R.D., is the executive director of education, planning, and research at Nova Southeastern University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine and program manager. She is also the project manager for NSU’s Institute for Disaster and Emergency Preparedness.
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