When Does it Become Okay?

During our last class, an interesting question was brought up: When does it become okay, or acceptable, for a suppressed people to turn to violence? My answer was it is the state in power who dictates the image of those who rebel against oppression. Looking back through history, it seems that it does not become globally acceptable for the oppressed to fight back until they win. During the time in which they turn to violence, they are regarded as violent, rebellious terrorists. For example, take a look at the birth of our own country. During the beginning of the Revolutionary War, the colonists who rejected the British Kingdom's legitimacy and fought back were obviously considered violent traitors by the state of Britain. It was not until America seized its independence that the image of the revolutionaries drastically changed. After claiming their independence, and thus establishing their legitimacy, the revolutionaries were regarded as heroes. Had they not claimed their victory, would those colonists not just be viewed as pesky rebels who turned to violence and treason?

The same is true today, but to a more extreme extent. Now, through the influence of the media, the dominant or oppressive state can take advantage of their global influence to make any form of rebellion to their suppression appear any way they want. Those in control use their legitimacy as an excuse for immediately defaming any kind of violent protest to suppression as terrorism. The world in contemporary conditions, so sensitive to the thought of "terrorism", easily sympathizes with the legitimate state, further delegitimizing the body of rebels. However, if the repressed body does achieve sovereignty, or whatever their goal is, their win is an immediate symbol of legitimacy which leads to majority approval for their violent revolt. It is seen as something that was necessary in a time injustice and oppression.

It is almost too confusing to absorb: you have to win to win approval. Now the question is, how long are we going to let these standards cloud our judgement of an oppressed people?