Introduction
Witch-hunt is, and Red scare are mirrors to the humanity darkest side, which emerges in great moments of fear and illusion, mostly orchestrated by partners seeking to benefit from it. This paper in five sections seeks to elaborate by recounting parallels, similarities, and differences. This essay addresses Witch-Hunts, Then and Now, taking reference from the text The devil discovered. The paper further addresses the differences and similarities found between the “Salem witch-hunts” and the “Red scare” associated with the McCarthy era prosecutions of suspected Communists. In my opinion witch-hunt has remained in the contemporary society even after many years and advancement in civilization. Firstly, the reason is witch-hunting bases on man’s inner corruption. And thus though significant advancements have been witnessed the same factors like jealousy, power, selfishness, lust still haunt us, and people go great lengths to satisfy these gaping holes of the heart. Politicians lie to gain power and destroy their opponents. Religious maniacs kill in the name of God. There are parallels between Salem “witch hunts” and the “Red scare”, which McCarthy’s era of communist prosecution. Notably, during the witch trials in Salem 1962 and the 1950s Red scare in McCarthy’s era, communities come together to host formal hearings. During the hearings, members of the community accused one another of violating and impeding on standards set by the society. In Salem, the trials were, based on ungodliness while in the Red scare centuries later the trials were, based on communism allegations (Demos, 2009). The witch trials of Salem compared to the 1950s “Red scare” in McCarthy’s era had both similarities and differences. Evidently, in both the Salem hunts and the McCarthy hunt, both victims were forced to give the names of people they knew had been, involved in witchcraft or communism (Demos, 2009). Pointing to evidence both the Witch trials and the McCarthy trials were, decided on flimsy morsel evidences based on suspicion and hearsay. However, as Walker, (2011) states, there were differences. The Salem community was religious and thus the accusations were, carried out from a religious point of view. However, in the Red scare the societies was secular and instead on focusing on religious accusations the accusations were, based on politics. Another difference, which comes through, according to Walker, (2011), the witch-hunt largely targeted women. The red scare, on the other hand, targeted mainly government employees of the government, union leaders, entertainment leaders and the activists of the time and thus no sexual bias. Today like the 1600s and the 1950s, there is still witch-hunt, and the red scare was taking place only that it is blended together to involve both politics and religion. Like in the past people are susceptible to witch hunt and the red scare in times of great fear Cierra, (2010) notes the advent of the terrorist saw the hunt of Muslim leaders after 2011. With little evidence, anybody looking Arab or Muslim can be, arrested in airports and held without the consent. However, while the terrorist drive is, religious beliefs the hunters in 21st century drive is political benefit who preyed on people's fears. It is however unfortunate and uncivil to approach terrorism from such an archaic position. Like every other community the Arabs and the Muslim add up close to a billion people, if they were all terrorist Cierra, (2010) observes there would be no one left.
Conclusively, Witch-hunts then and now are perhaps, unfortunately, here to stay. Driven by fear people cling to religion and politics, which currently blend in the 21st century. Like then, today people need to wake up from this madness and separate the real enemies from the larger community using real evidence.
References
Cierra, W. (2010). Homeland Security: The Modern Day Red Scare Perceptions of Modern Islam in American Society. Social History Commons, and the United States History Commons, 38, 5-15. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
Demos, J. (2009). The enemy within a short history of witch-hunting. New York: Penguin Books.
Walker, W. (2011). McCarthyism and the Red scare a reference guide. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO.
