Racial Profiling

[Liz McCarthy]

Racial Profiling: the Dangers of Mass Hysteria

In Arthur Miller’s the Crucible, rumors of witchcraft began to circulate in the town of Salem. Out of fear, the townspeople accused even their neighbors of conjuring up spirits and doing the devil’s work. Many innocent people were subject to this mass hysteria, especially those outside of the consensus. Although this paranoia, stirred up by a demagogue, does not compare to the actual attacks of 9/11, the innocent people hurt in the Crucible can be paralleled to those effected by racial profiling.
During the Salem Witch Trials, harmless people were accused of witchery. These townspeople were accused because of their appearance and reputation. For example, Sarah Good and Goody Bibber were charged with witchcraft. These women fit the stereotype associated with witches in that they were not married and were outside of the establishment. Though these women were innocent, they were still accused and hanged of witchery because of mass hysteria.
Though racial profiling has been around for countless years, it became especially prevalent when America was attacked by terrorists under the guidance of Osama bin Laden. After the unthinkable events of 9/11 unraveled, the American people were swept away by this tragedy. Fear of impending attacks led to less traveling, and people wanted to be assured of their safety. As a result of this hysteria, racial profiling was soon implemented; it became a tool that was meant to bolster national security and capture possible terrorists. However, this tactic turned out to be futile and it placed a dangerous stereotype on innocuous people. For example, in December 2001, Assem Bayaa, an American who was of middle eastern descent, was forced to get off of his plane because the passengers felt uncomfortable. Though he filed a lawsuit against United Airlines, he lost. The airlines argued that in times of terror, civil rights protection laws do not have to be followed. This is a glaring example of how mass hysteria can pose dangers to those outside of an established order. Though the practice of racial profiling has not resulted in any deaths, racial profiling has undermined the establishment of America by taking away its freedom.
The result of mass paranoia is almost the same today as it was during the Salem Witch Trials. There was no hard evidence that linked the innocent people of Salem to witchcraft; however, because of the fear incited by a vicious lie, people were killed. We evidently have not learned from the mistakes of our past. Today, hysteria has led us to the deplorable practice of racial profiling. Hysteria has blinded our nation, similar to how it blinded the puritans in Salem.

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