The Crucible: Witch Hunts Still Exist

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in peaceful worship in Oak Creek, Wisc., by a U.S. Army veteran, and the continued desecration of mosques throughout the country, are visual indications of such persecution." (Schroeder) The veteran most likely wanted revenge for what the attackers of 9/11 had done and used that for justification in killing innocent Muslims. This is not the only case of innocent Muslims being killed in spite of the actions of a few. Innocent people who happen to practice the same religion as a small group of terrorists now fear for their own lives as they try to survive the American witch hunt. Americans are guilty of witch hunting as Rosalyn writes, "Such persecution begs the question, when entire communities of innocent people become scapegoated on the actions of a few extremists, don’t we all become victims of our own inhumanity by partaking in a witch hunt for false justice?" (Schroeder). Americans created more than just a stereotype but rather a practice of hate and witch hunting toward the Muslim community, posing more of a threat to them than the "threat" believed they present to national security.

In The Crucible, Arthur Miller tries to teach a lesson to America in saying that witch hunts need to be stopped as they will lead to many consequences. He described how people in the 1950s searched for communists and called anyone that did not believe in capitalism a communist. Witch hunting continues in America today. Now people who worship Islam are labeled as terrorists and threats to national security. While some say these are just stereotypes and the accused are not hanged like the real witch hunts, Muslims’ lives are at risk every day as pent up rage builds in the American population. Americans are afraid and react by accusing a scapegoat, the Muslim population, for actions caused by a few from within the community. Witch hunts will continue to exist until the consequences caused by them are understood by the entire population.