Stereotypes for terrorists just don’t apply anymore. Your friend, your co-worker, your neighbor or even a relative could be a terrorist. Stereotypical views of terrorists include the turban-wearing Arabs, commonly seen in film and television. Some terrorists can fit this stereotype, but many do not.

Terrorists are often associated with bombings and plane crashes, but plenty fail to notice the everyday terrorist. It’s even in the name. A terrorist is simply one who uses terror to gain his or her objective. A terrorist could be a typical, everyday worker who simply had enough and decides to commit a terrorizing act.

Social studies teacher Charlie Trout recognizes that a terrorists can be anywhere.

“I think terrorists can be born anywhere. I think most people have the idea or vision that a terrorist is someone of an Arab decent, somewhere else, but it’s not that long ago that a couple Americans destroyed the Federal Building in Oklahoma City. There are typically people everywhere who are extremists, who are willing to resort to violence in order to gain their objective,” said Trout.

It seems that terrorists can be anywhere and anyone. Middle Eastern, European and, yes, even American.