Assignment 7: Modern day bias

The Crucible is an allegory. Although the play is set in Salem, Massachusetts, Arthur Miller was commenting on a witch hunt plaguing the U.S. during the 1950's--the Red Scare. Arthur Miller had a definite bias that was projected within his play--a real man, like John Proctor, would never sell his friends even if his life was at stake. Miller's play was a condemnation of people, like his friend Elia Kazan, who named names during HUAC (House Un-American Committee) meetings. Naming names to protect one's self was weak and inexcusable.

Elia Kazan didn't agree with Miller. Kazan believed that a person should not feel guilty for protecting one's own happiness. Kazan justified his decision to name names because it afforded him the ability to do what he loved--make beautiful films. Kazan's bias on this topic is reflected in his response to Miller's The Crucible--a film called On the Waterfront.

Even though The Crucible is set in the 1600's, it reflects a more recent time. The witch hunt of the 1950's isn't a solitary event, nor is it the most recent. Your task is to research a modern day witch hunt and to detect bias within your research.

If your last name begins with A-F, you'll research the Indian pogrom of the 1980's.
If your last name begins with G-L, you'll research the Bosnian War of the 1990's.
If your last name begins with M-R, you'll research the Turkish/Armenian conflict of the early 1900's.
If your last name begins with S-Z, you'll research the post-9/11 "witch hunt" of Muslims in America in 2001.

To complete this assignment, you'll research the "witch hunt" assigned to you by finding at least two sources online. Annotate these sources within diigo. Then, share your information through this discussion board. You should write a minimum of 3 posts:
  • Post one: write a summary of your witch hunt and include links to your annotated diigo pages.
  • Post two: comment by replying to one person who researched the same witch hunt as you. This reply should concentrate on comparing their sources to your own and reflecting on any bias noticed.
  • Post three: Reply to another witch hunt. Ask questions if you don't understand the situation.
  • Other posts: answer any questions that people have about your posts.
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