Terrorism is nothing new. Many of us on the younger side of the university’s demographics probably associate the word most closely with 9/11, but terrorism is a tale as old as time and one frequently retold under different names. Now, its seeds have taken root in a polarized America.
There is no need for beating around the bush here. Earlier this week, prominent Democratic politicians, and Robert De Niro, were mailed explosive devices. A package was also sent to CNN’s office in New York. Actually, saying explosive devices is a bit too vague. The devices were pipe bombs. Yes, pipe bombs.
Speculation rose over whether the bombs were functional, or if their purpose was just to send a message. This is so far from the point it is maddening, so I will try to be as succinct as possible in reiterating this: pipe bombs are being sent to people in the mail. Pipe bombs.
The targets of these bombs reveal a transparent motive. All those who received packages were outspoken critics of President Donald Trump. According to Rebecca Rubin of Variety, De Niro dropped an F-bomb (ha) in his speech at the Tony Award ceremonies in June directed toward the president, and all political recipients of the packages have publicly criticized Trump as well, albeit more eloquently. 
It is not a stretch to say this threat was politically motivated. In fact, it is so blatant, to say otherwise would be just a peg short of delusional, yet I have no doubt this is exactly what will happen. Delusion seems to be the norm in our modern world. This will go no differently.
People will argue it was a hoax. They will say the bombs were caught, so what is the big deal?
God forbid, they will defend the bomber.
This is not okay, America. This is not normal. This is more important than who died on “Modern Family.” Wake up.
The problem is not with the majority. Despite what the media reports, I firmly believe most Americans, on both sides of the political spectrum, have every intention and willingness to get along. It is the extremists who are so worrying because they are not being branded as extremists.
We live in a time where being a Republican or being a Democrat barely means anything. Instead, it is about how much of either party you are. How far do you lean? How much do you despise the other side? What are you willing to do about it?
Aligning oneself so far in either direction as to not be able to even see the other side as people, human beings worthy of at least the tiniest shred of dignity, is obviously dangerous. More than that, it is ignorant, backward and barbaric.
There is no nobility in killing your fellow countryman. There is no honor in violence for the sake of political belief. There is only suffering.
The worst part is, we know this. We have seen it before. Extremism is the soil by which violence sprouts, and once it has grown, it is a beast not easily squashed. History has shown us this lesson a dozen times over. 
Japan’s capitulation is commonly accepted as the end of World War II, but Japanese holdouts continued fighting. According to the BBC, one spent 29 years in the jungle on an island in the Philippines and killed 30 people. He killed those people in the name of a war that had long since ceased because he believed it impossible for his nation to surrender.
Through the 1970s into the 1990s, the IRA bombed public spaces in the name of liberty for Northern Ireland from British rule. They killed dozens and injured hundreds of civilians, the very civilians they claimed to represent and value because they believed their murders were justified.
On Sept. 11, 2001, the Islamic terrorist organization al-Qaeda hijacked commercial airliners and used them as missiles, killing nearly 3,000 people from 93 countries because they believed doing so was their holy mission.
Murder in the name of country, justice or God is still murder. Death by any other name would cut just as deep. Murder by any other name is still just as wrong. The day must come, sooner rather than later, when we put aside any claim we incorrectly assume. We must judge one another and accept the fact that we live side by side. 
What great things could we accomplish if our hearts were tuned to others rather than so tightly on ourselves, on our own beliefs? What wondrous marvels would our children’s children be beholden to? Would great passion and love sweep the world if not for all the hate and fear? 
Terrorism is nothing new, but it could be old and gone.