Discussing terror

March 19, 2010

Strong U of C connection to just-released collection
of thought-provoking essays

Ron Glasberg

University of Calgary professor Ron Glasberg wanted to explore the psycho-dynamics of terror—by looking for the fears that haunt the terrorists themselves, causing them to inflict a level of fear in others that drowns out their own.

“In other words, it is not enough to struggle with the ‘terror out there,’” says Glasberg, an associate professor with the Faculty of Communications & Culture. “One must also understand the ‘terror within’ if for no other reason than the latter might have a hidden bearing on the former.”

Glasberg is a contributing author and part of a strong U of C presence in a collection of thought-provoking essays just released by the University of Calgary Press that explores the concept of terror through diverse and challenging perspectives.

Understanding Terror: Perspectives for Canadians, edited by Karim-Aly S. Kassam, takes a historical approach to the consideration of terror in North American society, particularly in Canada. Kassam is currently International Associate Professor of Environmental and Indigenous Studies at Cornell University in New York State. He is also adjunct professor in Communications and Culture at the University of Calgary.

Contributors to the volume include journalists, scholars, and public policy experts, many of whom have viewed or experienced terror first-hand. Their aim is to examine specific events, reflect on how those events might be interpreted, and provide historical context, all the while encouraging the reader to question preconceived characterizations of this highly charged political and cultural issue.

“The so-called ‘war on terror’ has hijacked international focus from more substantive issues such as conservation of the biological and cultural diversity that are essential to human survival,” says Kassam. “In trying to understand terror, we are seeking to broaden the public discourse on the perception of terror.”

George Melynk, another contributing author and associate professor in the Communication & Culture faculty says the word ‘terrorist’ has become so generic and universal that it has lost its substantive meaning.

“Governments use it constantly and without discrimination. The word has become a political tool and that is unfortunate. I wrote for Understanding Terror because the book is meant to bring perspective and understanding to the term and the contexts in which it is used. The book has a Canadian perspective on the subject, which means that it is more balanced and thoughtful than those who created and promoted ‘The War on Terror.’”

Understanding Terror is now available at the University of Calgary Bookstore. Kassam and other contributing authors of the book will be part of a panel discussion hosted by the Consortium for Peace Studies at the University of Calgary in May.