There are a number of terms we use to describe the kind of people who shoot innocent civilians. Many are described as “alienated”, “psychopathic narcissists” or “troubled”. But it seems like you have to satisfy a particular criteria to be labelled a “terrorist”.

Jo Cox’s alleged attacker identified himself in court as “death to traitors, freedom for Britain” and yet we have responded to her a death in a way that has become tragically routine – a search for a mental health issue, surprise at reports of links neo-Nazi groups.

We must wonder, where an attack takes place and words like “Allahu Akbar” are used, would we be labelling it a terrorist attack from the outset?

We find it difficult to accept that white terrorist organisations are alive and kicking in the west. Some fringe far right groups have already advocated “militant direct action” in achieving their aims. Had a group of Muslims claimed to be specialising in “militant action” in the UK, surely the threat would be taken far more seriously, especially given the potential to intervene under our counter-terrorism laws.

Jo Cox: Tributes to the Labour MP

We also appear to fall into the trap of humanising perpetrators of violence and terror who happen to be white. In the sad case of the killing of Jo Cox, the suspect has not been described either as “a terrorist” or a “possible terrorist”. And, if coverage of other shootings by white perpetrators is any indication, I expect this individual never will be labelled in such a way.

Rather, the perpetrator of what looks like a terrorist attack under any other name will be described as a victim of inadequate mental health care, or that simple catch-all: a “lone wolf”.

We have different rules when talking about crimes involving Muslims or black people. Even as suspects, they are quickly labelled as “terrorists”, the attacks interpreted as a “possible terror” attack motivated by religion or belief. We chalk it up as an expression of extremism or radicalism, instead of looking for possible external injustices.

Unlike Islamic extremists, Anders Breivik, the Norwegian white supremacist who killed 77 people in July 2011, was given a public trial where his motives, philosophy and even his World of Warcraft fascination were explored in great depth. The suggestion was that, by looking hard enough into his life, we could understand his actions. But in the case of Seifeddine Rezgui, the 23-year-old Tunisian gunman who shot dead 38 people on a tourist beach, the perpetrator faced a very different treatment. There was some surface curiosity over how “normal” he appeared to be – videos of the attacker breakdancing were shared, and there were reports of his love for Real Madrid – yet there were no attempts to investigate his background fully since he was, of course, an Islamic extremist.

Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Floral tributes and candles are placed by a picture of slain Labour MP Jo Cox at a vigil in Parliament square in London AFP Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Tributes to Labour Party MP Jo Cox are placed on her houseboat in Wapping in London REUTERS Jo Cox tributes - in pictures The Union flag at half-mast on top of Portcullis House in London after Labour MP Jo Cox was shot and stabbed to death PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (2R) and deputy leader Tom Watson (L) light candles as they attend a vigil to slain Labour MP Jo Cox in Parliament square in London AFP/Getty Images Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and deputy leader Tom Watson (rear) arrive to leave tributes at Parliament Square PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures People leave St Peter's Church after a vigil in memory of Jo Cox REUTERS Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Flowers left at Parliament Square opposite the Palace of Westminste, following the death of Labour MP Jo Cox PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures People react as they look at tributes left for Labour Member of Parliament Jo Cox in Parliament Square, London REUTERS Jo Cox tributes - in pictures A man writes a message at Parliament Square PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures People stop to look at tributes left at Parliament Square opposite the Palace of Westminster PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures A woman arrives to lay flowers at a statue to Joseph Priestly in Birstall near to the scene where Labour MP Jo Cox was shot AFP/Getty Images Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Tributes at Parliament Square opposite the Palace of Westminster PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures A woman places candles in tribute to Labour Party MP Jo Cox REUTERS Jo Cox tributes - in pictures A member of the public signs a memorial for British MP Jo Cox in Parliament Square, London EPA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures People sign messages of condolence for MP Jo Cox during a vigil in Parliament Square in London Getty Images Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Flags at half mast outside Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, after Labour MP Jo Cox was shot and stabbed to death in the street outside her constituency advice surgery in Birstall PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures People arrive in Market Square with floral tributes after the death of Jo Co Getty Images Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Floral tributes are placed in Market Square next to the statue of Joseph Priestley following the death of Jo Cox Getty Images Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Floral tributes are brought to the scene after the death of Jo Cox Getty Images Jo Cox tributes - in pictures A police officer carries bunches of flowers at the scene of the shooting of Labour MP Jo Cox in Birstall REUTERS

We hold a special status for the term “terrorist”: it appears it no longer just describes those who commit acts of terror, but those who we feel belong to a different background or culture; a different breed. These terrorists are, ultimately, opposed to “our way of life” and our so-called British values. No wonder an attacker who reportedly shouted “Britain first” appears to have escaped the label.