This Muslim American Writer Breaks Down How Predictable Media Reactions To Terrorism Have Become

Written by Cristina López G.

Published

In a tweetstorm on March 22, Moroccan-American and Muslim writer Laila Lalami bemoaned “scripted” American media reactions to terrorism and mass shootings.

Lalami called out media for blaming an entire religion, scapegoating refugees, and for immediately demanding torture or military action after terrorist events. In the wake of March 22 terrorist attacks in Brussels, Fox News personalities and other right-wing media figures did exactly that, and more, defending the profiling of Muslims, demanding that the government lock down the border, and calling for waterboarding.

It's striking how American responses to terrorist attacks, like responses to mass shootings, have become scripted.

-- Laila Lalami (@LailaLalami) March 22, 2016

When Ankara or Bamako are attacked, there's little notice. When Paris or Brussels are attacked, there's massive coverage.

-- Laila Lalami (@LailaLalami) March 22, 2016

Then some people blame Islam. But terrorism is not confined to one religion and cannot be explained exclusively by religious factors.

-- Laila Lalami (@LailaLalami) March 22, 2016

Some people blame Muslims. But ISIS terrorists do not differentiate between Muslims and non-Muslims. They kill indiscriminately.

-- Laila Lalami (@LailaLalami) March 22, 2016

Some people blame open borders. But refugees are fleeing precisely the people who are perpetrating these acts of violence.

-- Laila Lalami (@LailaLalami) March 22, 2016

Some people (typically those who have never served a day in their lives) demand more military action, more bombings, more torture.

-- Laila Lalami (@LailaLalami) March 22, 2016

One response you will rarely hear: “I could be wrong.”

-- Laila Lalami (@LailaLalami) March 22, 2016

ISIS terrorists demand that we see the world in black and white. Unfortunately, many of our politicians are happy to oblige.

-- Laila Lalami (@LailaLalami) March 22, 2016

We have to face the unavoidability of living together, working together, struggling together.

-- Laila Lalami (@LailaLalami) March 22, 2016

It's hard to admit that we are facing complex problems with roots that go back decades. It's easy to say, “Exterminate all the brutes!”

-- Laila Lalami (@LailaLalami) March 22, 2016