Most of us probably have strong feelings in our hearts and minds on what has happened in New Zealand and elsewhere around the world. But we are afraid to speak up for various reasons.

We are afraid because governments everywhere seem unable or incapable of protecting the safety and security of their people.

When terrorists, in whichever form or colour, strike, we are afraid to label them for who they are for fear of reprisal.

Worse, how we look at a terrorist act would depend on our own race, religion, culture and value.

Sometimes, we condone and even tacitly support certain acts, thinking that these terrorists are fighting for justice and freedom around the world. At other times, we would condemn their actions if those that the terrorists had targeted are considered as “aliens” who are of no concern to us.

In both instances, innocent people die, but our anger and condemnation is different. We are selective and hypocritical without even realising it.

When we condemn a terrorist act, it is not always clear and unequivocal. Some are genuine, of course. Some probably are hypocritical, just to avoid retaliation. Perhaps some are doing it out of political correctness, which is not a true reflection of their inner feelings.

When we stand by the victims, we too could be very “selective”. We could be angry, sympathetic, hypocritical, or politically correct, all at the same time.

My observation is that the world has never been clear and unequivocal in its condemnation of terrorism. We pick and choose, ranging from outright condemnation, condonation, tacit sympathy to outright support, depending on which side we are on.

When killing innocent people has become habitual and routine — the so-called “new normal” — we know terrorism has won. We allow terrorism to win because we take sides.

T K Chua is an FMT reader

The views expressed by the writer do not necessarily reflect those of FMT