The Facts
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.
The Spin
Narrative A
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.
Narrative B
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."
