Incels Are Radicalized and Dangerous. But Are They Terrorists?
Foreign PolicyJun 02, 2020
On Tuesday, Ontario Superior Court Justice Suhail Akhtar ruled that a 2020 attack on a Toronto massage parlor was an act of terrorism inspired by the online "incel" movement, marking the first officially-designated terror offense of this type.
The term "incel" is short for "involuntary celibate" and has been described as a motive for violent extremism. The term is often found in online cultures that espouse misogynistic beliefs.
Unfortunately, Canada is extremely familiar with the rise of incel altercations and is even home to the origin of the term. While it's hard to group incels as a single homogenous unit, national security agencies are finally waking up to the threat. Incels are all too aware that they bear the hallmarks of a terrorist group, and Canada is acting to stifle their continued growth.
While some may argue that the newfound categorization of incel terrorism is positive, the decision sets a dangerous precedent for how the state can define "good" and "bad" ideologies in modern society. Incel-related violence is despicable, but the state should reflect on the societal reasons for gender-based violence and attempt to address such issues within the community, rather than creating a problematic "anti-terrorism response."