According to Merriam-Webster's dictionary, terrorism is “the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion” (Webster). One type of terrorism is domestic terrorism. Unfortunately, due to growing threats of fear, trauma, stress, hatred, and discontent among some Americans, the only way they feel that they can be heard is to lash out violently. Domestic terrorism can take many forms, from attacking federal buildings to lashing out at a group or class of people that the domestic terrorist may feel has wronged them. One of the worst examples of this was the 1991 Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh, who was said to have been frustrated at the federal government. In many ways, domestic terrorism has been a part of our country as early…show more content… The social impact of the Oklahoma City Bombing put a toll on the American people’s well-being, as did the fact that any ordinary civilian could have intentions beyond the imaginable. Ian Harvey, author of the article “The Light Behind the Dark,” explains the tragedy by writing “How do you explain the gruesome death of 19 children to a child hanging on your every word? How do you guide a woman with Alzheimer's disease to a memorial for a loved one, and then help her remember who that person was? How do you comfort a firefighter who is on the brink of tears as they step foot on ground zero for the first time in 23 years? The answers will not be found here, but as a ranger at the Oklahoma City National Memorial, I find myself confronting these questions almost daily.” Tragedy is a difficult topic to fully grasp. People who are unable to remember an event will have to experience it repeatedly. Children may not fully understand that a loved one has died. Firefighters will have lifelong memories of the events that unfolded. Not knowing the expected can be one of the most unexpected…show more content… It also housed a veterans’ counseling center, a military recruitment office, and a daycare center” (Pruitt). Timothy McVeigh’s path toward the Oklahoma City bombing showed his disappointment with the United States government. As Pruitt noted, McVeigh found other individuals who had the same beliefs as him. They found a target that seemed responsible for the Waco Siege and Ruby Ridge standoff, therefore having a strong motive to act. The Oklahoma City bombing was more than an act of domestic terrorism; it was a rebellion against the United States government. McVeigh's actions emphasized the consequences of domestic extremism and the dangers of conspirators coming together to act. Obstacles have continued to rise in order for the government to keep civilians safe from domestic terrorist threats, which makes many concerned about their civil rights and privacy. These politically motivated attacks, racial and ethnically motivated attacks, along with the emotional turmoil that is the aftermath of these terrible events, have negatively impacted the lives of many Americans throughout
