Both George W. Bush’s Address
to Joint Session of Congress Following 9/11 Attacks and an interview with Dick
Cheney and Tim Russert illuminate the “Myth of the Terrorist”. More accurately,
they helped to construct this myth by painting a picture of the new “American
enemy” and also the freedoms and identities of citizens at risk. Both the
speech and the interview were strategic in that they created a sense unity,
nationalism, and duty among U.S. citizens to demand justice and stay resilient in
their grief. They worked to manipulate the countries’ shock and use it as a
justification for war and counter-attack.
By
creating a sense of classless-ness and unity among all “equal” Americans fighting
for their liberties supposedly being attacked by these terrorists, the leaders
of the country managed to help citizens identify with one another and forget
the differences they share with each other on a daily basis, now unified in the
fight for freedom. He brings attention to class specifically when we asks for
the continued support of the American economy: “Terrorists attacked a symbol of
American prosperity. They did not touch its source. America is
successful because of the hard work, and creativity, and enterprise of our
people. These were the true strengths of our economy before September
11th, and they are our strengths today”. By calling attention to the stereotype
of the “hardworking American” who started from nothing, he alarms citizens that
their beloved American Dream is in jeopardy.
Bush further aims to identify with “everyday”
people by his constant repetition of “we” and “us”. This is another tool used
to create unity among citizens, while simultaneously victimizing them all. He
states, “Great harm has been done to us. We have suffered great
loss. And in our grief and anger we have found our mission and our
moment. Freedom and fear are at war. The advance of human freedom --
the great achievement of our time, and the great hope of every time -- now
depends on us… We will rally the world to this cause by our efforts, by our
courage…” And so not only does he place blame on The Terrorist, he creates one
huge victim, all American citizens, and then uses the grief and fear to channel
their efforts into support in the name of “progress”. He also warns citizens
that their own freedom, which is a basic human right regardless of class is in jeopardy.
Without the “freedom” we know today, there would be no class.
Lastly, he appeals to all Americans
regardless of class by saying, “I ask you to live your lives, and hug your
children. I know many citizens have fears tonight, and I ask you to be
calm and resolute, even in the face of a continuing threat”. Bush aims to plant fear for the livelihood of
American children, and to repress this fear and turn it into alliance with the
U.S. government. The administration knew it could not act with the country
divided. Later he asks you to “uphold the values of America” and “remember why
so many have come here.” As if there are a written set of values that all
Americans, regardless of class or position in society abide by.
Cheney reiterates a lot of the
ideas that Bush does, but instead paints a more vivid, detailed image of “the
Terrorist” for the American people to latch onto. In explaining the enemy more
vividly, he further unifies “all Americans” in their fight for “freedom and
democracy.” He explains that these terrorist groups and Osama bin Laden actually
hate all Americans: “I mean, you have to ask yourself, why somebody would do
what he does. Why is someone so motivated? Obviously he's filled with hate for
the United States and for everything we stand for...” Again, appealing to an
implied set of American values and ideals shared by the whole country,
regardless of their place in society.
This is so effective because Bush and Cheney
both claim a “war on terror”. Terror is something that any human, regardless of
their job, wealth, social status, and position in society can experience. It
can take hold of anyone, anywhere, no matter who you are. Americans were asked
to forget the things that would normally pull them apart, and recognize this
supposed need for unity and retaliation in order to save themselves from
something so horrible and possible all in one. And so “the Terrorist” does not embody
one devious Islamic man or even a group, it is rather the absolute terror of feeling grief, loss, suffering and tragedy.
Here is a report from the Herald News about this "unity" felt all throughout America:
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