Throughout American history, there have been several cases of discrimination against groups of people who were thought to be dangerous and harmful to society. These types of discrimination are generally referred to as "witch hunts", in reference to the infamous Salem witch trials, where several innocents were hanged or otherwise killed or jailed after being falsely accused of witchcraft. This paper will focus on a more modern example of a "witch hunt", the Lavender Scare. In the early 1950s and through the 60s, the LGBT community was just becoming more noticed and prominent in American culture. However, its relative newness and the fear already created by the Red Scare at the time caused them to be discriminated against, particularly by politicians seeking to remove them from positions in the federal government.
The Lavender Scare was a product of McCarthyism, coming shortly after …show more content…
Immense stress was put on them as many had lost their jobs and couldn't find work elsewhere (Adkins). Some would avoid government work altogether for fear of being exposed in the same way many of their friends had been (Adkins). Captain George Raines said that the investigations were causing a "rising wave of anxiety" and that the gay community was "frightened to death" (Adkins). However, this event also created a huge positive change in the community, laying the foundation for the gay rights movement (O'Neill).
The Lavender Scare was very similar to a witch hunt, in that it was caused by fear of an unknown population that was believed to be strange and potentially harmful to society. Thousands were accused of a false crime and their lives were destroyed because of it. Mass hysteria and panic spread in both the community of the accusers and that of the accused. In the end, however, the gay community was able to use this as a vantage point in order to finally stand up and begin to fight for their
The Lavender Scare was a product of McCarthyism, coming shortly after …show more content…
Immense stress was put on them as many had lost their jobs and couldn't find work elsewhere (Adkins). Some would avoid government work altogether for fear of being exposed in the same way many of their friends had been (Adkins). Captain George Raines said that the investigations were causing a "rising wave of anxiety" and that the gay community was "frightened to death" (Adkins). However, this event also created a huge positive change in the community, laying the foundation for the gay rights movement (O'Neill).
The Lavender Scare was very similar to a witch hunt, in that it was caused by fear of an unknown population that was believed to be strange and potentially harmful to society. Thousands were accused of a false crime and their lives were destroyed because of it. Mass hysteria and panic spread in both the community of the accusers and that of the accused. In the end, however, the gay community was able to use this as a vantage point in order to finally stand up and begin to fight for their