What draws youth to political violence?

Excalibur gets answers from Noam Chomsky and other professionals regarding sociological and religious theories behind extremism

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Mohamud Mohamed, a York student with a seemingly promising future, left to join ISIS.

Although we can’t know for certain the circumstances Mohamed found himself in, we can try to create a profile as to what makes young men turn to political violence.

Terrorism involves spectacular and often unexpected killings in order to destabilize the social order and promote a greater cause.(1)

But what would drive these youths, why do they turn to political violence?

Is it religion? The Qur’an? Do they hate Western freedom? Do they just want to die?

Noam Chomsky, when asked by Excalibur about the role Islam plays in political violence says, “It [Islam] plays a role, but there are [other] reasons. Tribal cultures, the extreme Islamophobia in the West, and the many direct attacks on the Muslim world. It’s [political violence] by no means unique to Islam.”

The evidence from experts like Scott Atran (a French and American anthropologist), Robert Pape (an American political scientist), and Marc Sageman (former CIA Operations Officer) backs him up.continue reading...

1-Here I am using professor Atran's definition from his book Talking To The Enemy. Although other definitions exist.  [11/22/2014]

My latest article on the Rosetta mission

Rosetta mission proves to be a grand success

York professor Paul Delaney comments on the Rosetta mission, giving insight into the importance of this scientific marvel

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The Rosetta mission of the European Space Agency has made it, landing successfully on Comet 67P.

The Rosetta spacecraft deployed the Philae lander on Comet 67P on November 12. Philae is the small orbital spacecraft carried by Rosetta. 

This marks the first successful landing on a comet by a man-made craft. The ESA first launched Rosetta in 2004.

“It chased the comet down and Rosetta itself has gone into orbit around the nucleus of this comet,” says Paul Delaney, senior lecturer of physics and astronomy professor at York. 

“Rosetta is designed to monitor this nucleolus as it literally wakes up from its deep cold sleep.” 

He says many aspects of the comet’s anatomy will be analyzed. These include items such as the comet’s plasma and magnetic field environments, and surface condition.

Delaney says the importance of studying the comet is beyond trying to understand the universe as a whole.continue reading... 

 

My latest article in Excalibur on Angela Davis and Bobby Seale

My latest article in Excalibur on Angela Davis and Bobby Seale highlighting the YFS Activist Assembly at YorkU

The York Federation of Students recently held an activist assembly event, which reportedly led to thundering applause and a standing ovation for the guest speakers.

The event, which took place on October 29, featured Bobby Seale and Angela Davis.

Speaking first was Seale, a founder of the Black Panther Party, a black nationalist and socialist party that was active in the United States from 1966 to 1982.

Seale spoke about his influences from books that connected him with his roots, learning about slave revolts, and all the wars African-Americans had fought in, along with Malcolm X and Martin Luther King.

Seale created a grassroots jobs tutorial program for youth in the community. Seale’s goals for his programs were putting money back in the community, while educating youth and giving them practical skills.

Seale wanted to change the fact that black people were being under-represented in the system, by doing voter registration and getting more black politicians, jurors, and community leaders. continue reading...