The Terrorist Next Door

September 14, 2015 by Eric Blumberg

Photo courtesy of HBO’s “Private Violence”

“If the numbers we see in domestic violence were applied to terrorism or gang violence, the entire country would be up in arms, and it would be the lead story on the news every night.” Rep. Mark Green

My thoughts on the subject started to brew during the recent anniversary of 9/11. This country does anniversaries well, and America is first in line to remember victims. Additionally, those in high government office as well as those seeking the same are quite verbal about the need to be vigilant against the specter of more attacks. Domestic terrorism has indeed been a major focus even before 9/11, particularly as regards the Murrah Building’s demolition at the hands of Timothy McVeigh.

But for this argument, I want to focus on those domestic terror deaths since 2000 and compare that number to the number of deaths resulting from so-called domestic violence, which is even more pernicious because it happens right under our noses, broken or not. This must be done because to most of the U.S., domestic terrorism apparently stops at our homes’ thresholds, with rarely a murmur of dissent.

Since 2000, there have been approximately 3250 Americans killed on our soil as a direct result of domestic terrorism. However, since 2000, approximately 20,000 women have been killed as a direct result of domestic violence. It’s funny how using the word, terrorism, elicits great sympathy and resolve while when the word, violence, is substituted the silence can be, at times, deafening.

Let’s say I go over to your home, and once I enter you slug me right in the jaw without me provoking the attack. You could very likely be arrested for felony assault depending on the extent of my injuries. Now, let’s say I walk in your home and instead of punching me without provocation, you slug your wife. You’re more than likely to be arrested for misdemeanor assault with the extent of your wife’s injuries having little or no effect on how you’re charged. This inherent prejudice continues in this country to this day. Believe me that one of the biggest women’s issues, in this case having to do with their injuries or deaths, is hardly addressed, and frankly there is no sane reason to not do so.

You would think this mainstay of domestic terrorism would garner some sympathy for its victims as well as some outcry by the presidential candidates.

We do hear about women’s health issues on the 2016 stump but never in the context of how broken arms and concussions caused by the terrorist at home can be prevented. But what we don’t hear is if that female decides to purchase a firearm for her subsequent protection, said firearm is more likely to be against her, not her partner.

Finally, the mass media remain complicit in squelching stories about true domestic terrorism. Except for the Ray Rice interlude, not much heed is paid to the carnage. Therefore, whenever a family is wasted by the intimate or ex partner, there is still not a whisper. The issue is never broached. It remains stowed away deep in the nation’s conscience. Isn’t it time we dredge up this filthy secret and make the nation admit, that when it comes to keeping women safe in their homes, we haven’t come along way, baby.

Category Uncategorized | Tags: domestic violence murders, The terrorist next door