Doc Jazz releases video in response to terror attacks

Doc Jazz in the video ‘Why the Innocent’

Terror attacks have seen a recent upsurge across the world, and claimed the lives of many innocents. In response, Doc Jazz has released a new video. Its message is: all violence against civilians is to be condemned, regardless of what the perpetrators consider to be a ‘justification’.

Terror is not a definition, but a label

The famous phrase ‘one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter’ is known to many. It was first written by Gerald Seymour in his 1975 book Harry’s Game, and repeated by many others since. However, there is another angle to this too, which deserves to be mentioned. One could also rewrite the phrase as: ‘one nation’s army is another nation’s terrorist organization’. It all depends whether you are on the receiving end, or at the side of the one dealing the blows.

Are victims of the horrific barrage of Israeli warfare on Gaza, not victims of terrorism? To those who resent this description, the prospect of a discussion may seem appealing. Nevertheless, at the end of the day it’s entirely semantic. Whether an innocent civilian gets run over by a truck in Nice, or bombed in his bedroom in Gaza, they are equally dead, and equally innocent.

Ali Sonboly, the perpetrator of the Munchen attack, was an admirer of the terror of Breivik, the most fanatical Islam-hater in the West

War on Terror, War about Terror, or War of Terror

Labeling, however, is an essential part of warfare. Whether this warfare has any justification or not, can be decided in the courts of International Law. That is, if that has the validity it purports to have. It can hardly have this if it is not granted any authority, or if powerful nations can exempt themselves from it. We have seen how it works out in the real world.

At the same time, the mass murders of Anders Breivik, who killed 77 people in Norway, are rarely referred to as ‘terrorism’. This illustrates the point above; it is used as a label, while being presented as a definition. Ali Sonboly, the terrorist of Munich, idolized Breivik. Food for thought, isn’t it?

People under terror

These discussions are important, but we must not lose sight of the human factor. Most people live somewhere because they were born there. For some, this means growing up in a warzone, and for others it can mean growing up somewhere where war exists only on TV, in computer games, or in newspapers. On a human level, nonetheless, there are but little differences between these varieties. Both hope to stay above the poverty line or even to be successful in their careers. Both hope to raise a family, and both wish to see their families safe and fed.

Pain is a universal language

There is no difference when it comes to the brokenheartedness of a mother who has lost her child to violence. It doesn’t matter if she was living in luxury, or in dire circumstances. She would give up all her luxury, just to see the life of her child restored. This is the level at which Doc Jazz’s song appeals. No distinction between people, when we are talking about people. When innocent civilians are murdered, regardless by which excuse, or by which justification, the tragedy is universal.

Watch and listen. More will be posted about this song, and this subject, soon. Ladies and gentlemen, here is: Why the Innocent, by Doc Jazz.