Yesterday, we woke up to news of the worst mass shooting in our country’s history. Over 50 people at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando have lost their lives to an Islamic terrorist. There are over 50 people injured as well. Donald Trump spat out this nasty tweet right before President Obama spoke on the matter:
“Is President Obama going to finally mention the words radical Islamic terrorism? If he doesn’t he should immediately resign in disgrace!”
Obama had this to say in a statement he made after the shooting:
“The shooter targeted a nightclub where people came together to be with friends, to dance, to sing and to live. The place where they were attacked is more than just a nightclub, it is a place of solidarity and empowerment, where people have come together to raise awareness, to speak their minds and to advocate for their civil rights. So, this is a sobering reminder that attacks on any American, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation is an attack on all of us and on the fundamental values of equality and dignity that define us as a country.”
He did not say the words “radical Islamic terrorists.” Obama just said that this was an act of hate because it was. Why are Republicans making a stink over the terms used?
Republicans have been trying to get the Obama administration to use this term for years. They think that we must name our enemy in order to fight it. Trump has said this about it at a previous campaign rally:
“Unless you’re going to talk about it, you’re not going to solve the damn problem folks. You’re not going to solve it.”
Obama had this to say during a summit on violent extremism in February:
“We are not at war with Islam. We are at war with people who have perverted Islam. These terrorists are desperate for legitimacy. And all of us have a responsibility to refute the notion that groups like ISIL somehow represent Islam, because that is a falsehood that embraces the terrorist narrative.”
Using the term Islamic terrorists demonizes the Muslims who are not terrorists. Hillary Clinton said that this term creates a “clash of civilizations.” ISIS and other extremists actually use this as a recruiting tool. They say that there is a “war with the west,” and they say all Muslims should join them.
We should not alienate the real Muslims who do not believe in this senseless violence.
Featured image via YouTube Screengrab.
