Following the attacks of the world trade center in September 2001, the United States opened its eyes to the horror that is terrorism. We always knew that it existed but we never thought it would hit so close to home. The past five years have shown not only the United States, but the world, the effects of terrorism.
Terrorism is the use of force or violence against persons or property for purposes of intimidation, coercion, or ransom. It occurs all over the world, at any given moment. Many factors cause terrorism. Most terrorist groups use such violence as a way of gaining mass media attention. The unknown group wants political change and since the group’s political influence is limited, drastic measures are often taken in order to gain attention to their cause. Other times, it is due to the competition between groups or classes of people. It can either be religion or race, but in any case, the view is the same, us against them. Both classes band together to form a certain identity, or family, in which they feel pride. With pride comes the natural feeling to protect it. No matter what.
The effects of terrorism is now common knowledge all over the world, post 9/11. Not only is there destruction of cities, homes, and businesses, there is the destruction of life. Terrorists target places where they can slip away undetected. They target places where they can inflict as much damage as possible with very little danger to themselves. Yet the physical effects go away. Terrorism is mainly targeted at the long term, emotional effects. Terrorism eats away at the security and safety of a community or nation. Fear and anger rise, leading to social distress. The need for revenge and frustration grows because only so much can be done. Terrorist try to start the flame to burn down the group or nation.
Yet as destructive as terrorism is and has become over the years due to more technology, it has yet to succeed in the United States. The lives lost during 9/11 has made our nation stronger. Terrorist want to bring us down, but it wont happen. We have over come the initial pain and suffering and opened our eyes to the facts, only to become stronger. Terrorism will not go away quickly or any time soon, but one day terrorist will learn that violence does not pay.
