The Danger of Demonizing Osama Bin Laden
by When you demonize one man to the extent that was done with Osama bin Laden, you cross into a dangerous world.
After the events of 9/11, in which New York’s Trade Towers were destroyed many Americans demonized one man, Osama bin Laden, who was killed in Pakistan May 1, 2011. Had bin Laden been solely responsible for the tragic events, or any other terrorist atrocity, this might be an actual reason to celebrate his death in the way millions of people are doing at the moment. Keep in mind he was killed without even so much as a trial.
I am not saying he had no part in the activities of 9/11 (although many conspiracy theories would argue he had no part in these events), I am concerned with the demonization of one person and how that affects society as a whole.
He is dead! Is the world suddenly a safer place? Remember this was an old man, in hiding, and without much power. One newscaster was even heard to say that it was one of the greatest fears was that he would die of natural causes before he could be killed.
The older generation will remember how Charles Manson was demonized. While he may have encouraged people to kill, he was not the actual killer in the murders he was convicted for. He was demonized and imprisoned for much longer than many people who have committed actual murders.
People had an attitude that the world was safe because Charles Manson was jailed.
Now this same attitude is being felt in conjunction to the death of Osama bin Laden.
Image via Wikipedia
We cannot go around demonizing individual people, it diminishes us as a species.
Osama bin Laden has been made into an icon, just as Charles Manson has. In fact, in some parts of the counter culture Charles Manson has become an iconic anti-hero that people follow, love, and admire, do you really want to do the same to Osama bin Laden? When we demonize somebody, others will diefy them.
Authors Note: When I refer to demonization, I am not talking about a process of saying that somebody is “bad” or “evil”, it is a cultural process of turning one person into a “boogie man”, to the exclusion of all others.
Ask yourself, “Was bin Laden the only one to blame for 9/11?”.
Other Reading
Web Bot 2012, 2013, and Beyond
Why Political Correctness was Destined to Fail
What Happens when you Make Fun of People
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Post CommentRS Wing
On May 2, 2011 at 3:44 pm
All good points, Mark. I agree. It’s nearly impossible to not have Bin Laden characterized as a martyr amongst islamist fundamentalists, as the dangers of retaliation could possibly ensue. By villifying or demonizing one individual, we take the risk of adding more to this grandiose idea of martrydom, as his murder is more symbolic than beneficial to the globe. He’s been virtually powerless in the past few years, as others pursue his idealogue.
Kai Princess
On May 2, 2011 at 3:54 pm
We have no right to judge people… but we are all human and make mistakes. I don’t believe its right to called him anything because in the end he was human just like us.
shahzadi queen
On May 2, 2011 at 4:04 pm
i agree with you.
Jewelstar
On May 2, 2011 at 4:41 pm
There were many people involved, but we are only aware of the name Bin Laden and….. we conclude he was sole responsible for the entire operation.
sanaahmed
On May 2, 2011 at 4:47 pm
great share Osama with Hamid Mir hamid mir is a geo news pakistan channal …
reporter…
great post .. did you read my article which one Osama bin laden and you can see also picture for him killing kind of
lolontka
On May 2, 2011 at 5:49 pm
I think its more of a symbol of good overcoming evil that we are celebrating. There are many more potential terrorists out there unfortunately but we can allow ourselves this small victory.
jrabraham
On May 2, 2011 at 8:23 pm
Perhaps, Bin Laden has been treated as the center of blame since he was the leader of al Qaida and that this terrorist group took responsibility of the 9-11 attack.
numismatic
On May 3, 2011 at 3:25 am
We have to read between the lines, I think this is bigger then Bin Laden himself. Now we might see who is all behind him after his death maybe they will all stand up and get toasted like him or now will they start laying low and coming into our nation after we globally showed how powerful we are now.
aishalal
On May 3, 2011 at 5:19 pm
Great post.I am totally agree with you.
thresiapaulose
On May 5, 2011 at 7:55 am
O my Guiding Star Mark,
You are cent per cent correct. Demonizing a person on one side will make him a martyr on another side and cause more damage. the world should love people more than hate. Thank you Mark.this is the first time I read your article on Triond.
Paulose
mkmetalhead
On May 6, 2011 at 1:35 am
A good article — there is so much to say about the way Americans in particular have equated global terrorism with one man. He was, after all, just one man among many who use Islam as an excuse for mass murder.
Aparatura Medicala
On May 9, 2011 at 10:26 am
I think that media should be a little bit objective and present the situation as it is.
mico
On May 12, 2011 at 2:15 am
Policy needs top be made with foresight.
Theironfist
On May 13, 2011 at 10:16 pm
I agree. It’s ridiculous to think that all evil in the world has dissapeard because just one man has been killed. And dangerous as well.
And also, I think it’s disgusting how some people went to the ground zero to celebrate the death of a man, who was killed without even a trial. I know he was a criminal, but one should show some respect for the dead; if not, you are lowering to his level. Murder can’t be a reason to party.
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