As Dr. Charles F. Glassman once wrote, “No matter how loud the voice is, no matter how many people are saying it, it doesn’t make it true.” In other words, people cannot rely on the opinions of others. To make rash and responsible decisions, we must use our own judgment. As seen throughout history, in the concept of groupthink, also referred to as herd mentality, characterized by the unification of a majority against a perceived enemy. Demonstrated by the Witch Hunts in Salem, the Red Scare of the late 1950s, and even today in the modern age, group thinking continues to divide us as a society. For instance, the way those of the Islamic faith are treated in America is comparable to that of the people of Salem during the Witch Trials of the late…show more content… Additionally, the logic used by those who hunt these metaphorical witches is often flawed and simply a distraction from the truth. As seen in the internment of the Japanese people after Pearl Harbor, hidden under the guise of patriotism and prevention of espionage, this caused Japanese people to be incarcerated in droves. While claiming it was to prevent the infiltration of the Japanese into America, it is reported that “over half of those imprisoned were native-born citizens” (National Archives 4). Regardless of citizenship, those imprisoned had only one trait in common: their race. This fictitious threat of spies was simply a cover for the fear that gripped the public. However, the reverse was also used to excuse these actions. As the government claimed, those of Japanese descent were in danger and needed protection. This was untrue, and the prisoners themselves knew that. One such prisoner pointed out how the guns were pointed inward at the captives instead of outward (National Archives). Thus, the use of this excuse becomes only a comfort to the people
