Wheaton Wire

Issue date: 12/10/08 Section: Commentary

Media Credit: Arden Barlow ‘12

On Nov. 26 terrorists stormed the traditionally wealthy hotels in Mumbai, the economic capital of India. These terrorists, now believed to be from Pakistan, entered with guns and hand grenades and held many of the residents hostage. The terrorists, who entered the café at the Taj Hotel, brought everyone into a hall, where they interrogated them about their origins, asking them to show identification.

A CNN reporter interviewed a man who was let free. The man said that because he had nothing on him, he was able to lie about where he was from. He told the terrorist he was from Italy and said the few Italian words he knew, even though they were out of context. He was let go, while those from the U.S., the U.K. and Israel were held hostage.

Like other terrorists in recent years, these young men seem to have justified their murderous rampage as an act against the United States and its allies. While few people condone such terrorism, the perpetrators seem to think they can tap into broader popular resentments. Why the negativity towards the West?

The United States has grown as a hegemonic nation, trying to assert its power where it can. The United States' presence in Central Asia has provided some regional stability, but its dominance in a foreign region has also created animosity. The terrorists were interested in attacking these innocent Westerners and the obvious wealth and materialism they represented. Many people see the United States as a country that is so privileged it has become pretentious and removed from the rest of the developing world.

Is it ironic that these attacks against Westerners occurred less than a month after the election of our first African-American president? Prior to the election, a survey was conducted on how countries would vote in the presidential election if they had the opportunity. Obama was the favored candidate by a margin of 4 to 1 according to BBC. Will countries and their citizens continue to be optimistic about his election?

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