“A modern day witch hunt”, the phrase is used to described the irrational fear of a group that lead to false accusations.The era of McCarthyism is an understandable example. Any whisper of a political figure being communist would shatter their reputation. Simply wearing red was a sign of communism! The word “communism” itself “...had been so demonized that like the word ‘witch’ it signifies something that didn’t really exist in its popular meaning” (Navasky 102-105). Most would agree that the majority of the people accused during that time were innocent and the irrational fear and hysteria at the time caused the surge of accusations. But today, the term “modern day witch hunt” is being used again-but to describe the accusations of sexual harassment in Hollywood. 
People (predominantly white men *shocker*) are accusing the women of lying and simply attempting to ruin the reputations of powerful men. I admit, the “parallelisms” can be identified: a group of women making an accusation, the reputation of anyone accused is ruined (what a shame), and women working together to acquire more power. But what do the women gain from these accusations? What benefit is gained from accusing these specific men of sexual harassment? And how come so many have come forward if it’s a lie? Some may argue it was peer pressure similar to in The Crucible. Abigail Williams would even threaten the girls that if any of them were to "...breathe a word...[she] [would] come to [them] in the black of some terrible night and... bring a pointy reckoning"(Miller 355-358). But rape culture is an acting force that would result in the girls being labeled as liars (like what is ACTUALLY happening) and risking their own reputation. Also, many of the accusers are not in close relation with one another, unlike the girls in The Crucible. It seems a bit unlikely that all of the sexual harassment accusations were faked and everyone is just hysterical.
These men have abused their power in media for far too long and people are finally beginning to wake up. Unlike in the past, these allegations should be taken seriously and not as a "modern day witch hunt".
People (predominantly white men *shocker*) are accusing the women of lying and simply attempting to ruin the reputations of powerful men. I admit, the “parallelisms” can be identified: a group of women making an accusation, the reputation of anyone accused is ruined (what a shame), and women working together to acquire more power. But what do the women gain from these accusations? What benefit is gained from accusing these specific men of sexual harassment? And how come so many have come forward if it’s a lie? Some may argue it was peer pressure similar to in The Crucible. Abigail Williams would even threaten the girls that if any of them were to "...breathe a word...[she] [would] come to [them] in the black of some terrible night and... bring a pointy reckoning"(Miller 355-358). But rape culture is an acting force that would result in the girls being labeled as liars (like what is ACTUALLY happening) and risking their own reputation. Also, many of the accusers are not in close relation with one another, unlike the girls in The Crucible. It seems a bit unlikely that all of the sexual harassment accusations were faked and everyone is just hysterical.
These men have abused their power in media for far too long and people are finally beginning to wake up. Unlike in the past, these allegations should be taken seriously and not as a "modern day witch hunt".
I love the connection that you made between the Salem witch trials and the modern day "witch trials". I also love the sarcasm! How do the modern day "witch trials" make people combine their public and private lives?
ReplyDeleteWith most of the accusers and accused being actors or people in media, their public lives are well known. When people come forward about sexual harassment it combines their private lives into their public image. It is also the same for those being accused, since their private lives result in their public lives/reputations being ruined.
DeleteI really like how you compared the current accusations being made in the movie and music industries to the Salem witch trials. Apart from reputation, what else do you think is a cause of influencing these women to finally speak up? Additionally, in the future do you think other women will find it easier to speak up about these issues, or do you think they will still want to seek comfort in standing up and speaking out when in the comfort of a group?
ReplyDeleteI feel that women in the past were more hesitant to speak up since many who did were often blamed for it or accused of seeking attention. Now that people accused of sexual assault are being held accountable for their actions, I think women (and men) would find it easier to speak up.
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