Xenophobia In The Crucible

Xenophobia is defined as the intense or irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries or backgrounds. Xenophobia often ignites the fire that leads to witch hunts. Witch hunts are defined as a campaign directed against a person or group holding unorthodox or unpopular views. Xenophobic people use fear of the unknown to stir up trouble and cast a dark shadow on outsiders. People fear the potential loss of their reputation or position. One bad apple does not determine the quality of a bunch.

There are several examples of a person fearing their reputation or position in The Crucible by Arthur Miller. One example is when Reverend Parris is worried about the current condition of Salem and states the following ‘Andover have thrown out

the court, they say, and will have no art of witchcraft. There be a faction here, feed on that news, and I tell you true, sir, I fear there will be riot here…these people have great weight yet in the town…Excellency, I would postpone these hanging’s far in time.’ (Miller). Parris is afraid that the citizens of Salem will get wind of what happened in Andover and try to mimic them. Another example is when Reverend Hale and Danforth are arguing about rather the girls are telling the truth or if it’s all an act. Hale proceeds to state the following ‘Excellency, I have signed seventy-two death warrants; I am a minister of the Lord, and I dare not take a life without there be a proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of conscience may doubt it’ (Miller). Reverend Hale has signed the death warrants of seventy-two innocent people and realizes that the girls are lying and have been fooling the townspeople. Danforth remains assured of the justices of his position. There is already a great divide in Salem and the tension can be felt by all. Salem is built on lies, secrets and betrayals and the citizens have their own little groups. Salem is slowly starting to crumble after xenophobia rocked their town.

America is using Islam as a scapegoat. Brian Regal presents the following in his article ‘Scapegoats are usually weaker or marginalized members of society easily made to look suspicious.’ (Regal). People always look for someone to blame even if it is not their fault. Attacks will always happen even if no one is at fault. If a Muslim women walks down the street with a hijab draped on her head at least one person will think she is a terrorist or at least affiliated with one. ‘A young man verbally attacked a Muslim woman in a supermarket in the Moravian town of Brno on June 20. He demanded that she should take off her scarf and threatened to decapitate her.’(Conversation). One day Americans will look back and realize how foolish how foolish and insecure we were as a country.

More than half of America’s governors say they oppose letting Syrian refugees into their sates.

Thirty-one states are not welcoming refugees, seven are welcoming refugees, and twelve are not making a commitment to either side. Governors cannot legally deny entry to refugees but they can make it extremely difficult to gain access. Michigan governor Rick Snyder stated the following ‘It’s also important to remember that these attacks are the effects of extremists and do not reflect the peaceful ways of Middle Eastern descent here and around the world.’ (CNN). Mister Snyder does not welcome refugees to his state because the safety of his citizens is his number one priority but he does not want people to look down on refugees. American citizens do not want refugees in their communities. This is a prime example of xenophobia and could lead to backlash, discrimination, and violence directed towards refugees. Refugees would be targeted and become victims of hate

crimes.

Some countries already face hardship such as homelessness, hunger, and teetering economies.

Bohuslav Sobotka, the Czech prime minister, said the following in a recent interview as a warning ‘immigrants may bring about the collapse of the EU.’ Refugees are intruders and impose burdens onto other countries. Refugees will take jobs and resources from struggling

citizens.

If refugees get sent back or stay in their home countries innocent lives will be put at risk and they could potentially loss their lives. For example during Hitler’s reign America sent back refugees and many lost their lives. Franklin D. Roosevelt became president in 1933 when America was going through the greatest depression. Americans feared that refugees would take away precious jobs and make the economy even worse. Finally a quota of those allowed to enter was determined. Over 300,000 applied but only 2,000 were granted. In May of 1939 a ship set sail with 1000 refugees. These refugees were granted temporary Cuban tourist visas but Cuba soon changed regulations on visas. The US coast guard made sure no one jumped and swam ashore. The ship eventually returned to Europe and those aboard were sent to concentration camps. If history repeats itself the same thing could happen to Syrian refugees. America could deny them access and send them back and ISIS could plan a major attack on innocent lives

America needs to stand up and be the bigger country in this situation. Everyone needs to learn to be open minded and understand what these refugees are going through. They did not choose to live in a war torn country where they have to fear for their lives on a daily basis. What if your families lives was at risk?