Witch Hunts

Throughout history, witchcraft caused panic and fear among many communities. This resulted in the burning at the stake of anyone thought to be a ‘witch’ or believed to have dabbled in black magic. Unfortunately, it also targeted those only suspected of participating in this practice. 

In modern times, the  'witch hunt’ has become the act of seeking and persecuting any perceived enemy, particularly when the search is conducted using extreme measures and with little regard to actual guilt or innocence. At times it is sanctioned by government and at other times only by the ‘court of public opinion’.

Sadly, the casualties of these hunts are often innocent of the crimes they are accused of. During the McCarthy era, for example, many victims were perceived communists.

Often an innocent yet poorly judged comment or joke can lead to a person being labelled anti-Semitic. The abuse they subsequently suffer can, ironically, germinate negative sentiments within them, feelings never before thought of or considered.

Unfortunately, we see witch hunts happening everywhere, often targeting the innocent. The friendly overtures of a  teacher makes him a paedophile; an ill-timed joke brands the joker a racist; a poorly judged Facebook post labels the user a sex addict.

Are these innocents merely a casualty of war? Is it now accepted that the weeding out of society’s ‘scum’ necessitates collateral damage? Can’t we as a society read each story and controversy independently of popular trends and judge each person on their merit, rather than within a broader context?

My sense is we cannot.

We want blood, because even if there are unnecessary victims, at least we can sleep at night knowing that all the ‘bad men’ are behind bars, guilty or not.