When we think of the word "terrorism" we think of the events of 9/11 or the ongoing bloodshed in Israel and the occupation of Iraq by our own military. But there are many other forms of terrorism that occur right here in our own country and communities.
When I think of terrorism I think of people like Matthew Shepard, Steven Goedereis, Brandon Teena, Charlie Howard, just to name a few, who were brutally murdered because of who they were. This is a form of terrorism.
When I hear people praising Hitler and the Nazis, encouraging the "white race" to fight back and kill all those who don't fit the "aryan theology", this is terrorism.
When people like Pat Robertson, James Dobson, Rush Limbaugh,etc attack and demonize gays and lesbians, women, Bill and Hilary Clinton, and so on, this is terrorism.
Domestic violence and sexual assault, these are also forms of terrorism.
When I read about the thousands of gay youths who endure endless harassment at school, resulting in the too high rate of suicides, this is terrorism.