Fear Vs Individualism

Fear is a common human emotion. However, people respond to it in different ways. This response is not always the best and can result in tragedy. During various instances in history has fear led people to do things later are regretted. From the Salem witch trials, to McCarthyism to even modern political witch trials has fear played a big role in. In all of these occasions people follow society and what it says. People who go against society are feared and seem as threats. Society fears what is different or unknown and is sometimes shaped by that fear. Should one be one’s own individual,different or should one go with society to fit in? I believe being your own individual is the way to go. Being one’s own individual is something

It was during the time the Soviet Union was around. The Soviet government was communist, something Senator Joseph McCarthy feared. This led to a ‘witch hunt’ against communists. From the common folk to politicians people were accused and arrested for being communists. Many of these accusations were actually false, similar to the Salem witch hunts. At this time, many people accused innocents to either seem unsuspicious or to gain something for themselves. Many believed McCarthy in the claims that there was a large threat of communist espionage in the US. They supported him and his investigations and hearings. Few in the press were willing to stand up against him. From the few were comedian Mort Sahl, and journalist Edward R. Murrow ”whose strong criticisms of McCarthy are often cited as playing an important role in his eventual removal from power.”(Doc. C) Even though short lived, the ‘witch hunt’ affected many. “Thousands of people lost their jobs and had their reputations tarnished.”It is true that “ the Soviet spy ring did penetrate the highest levels of the American government. . .”(Doc. B) However, it was wrong to do what McCarthy did and even worst what society did which was promote the injustices and just go with it.(Doc. B) Even though probably criticized at the time they began their criticism, Sahl and Murrow deciding to not follow society and to stand up for their

A big part of these take place in politics. The most current one is the ‘witch hunt’ against President Trump. Since after the election of 2016, now President Trump has been accused of cheating in the elections. It is suspected that the Russians interfered with the elections through hacking. Currently, there is no evidence connecting Russia with President Trump. Another modern yet older witch hunt was the one against Hillary and Holder. The cause of Hillary’s cause was mostly because of her EMail scandal in which she used a private email for sending government information. Even though both Trump and Hillary have been witch hunted for different reasons they have all been towards fear of