The red scare in Hollywood 1950, and American Muslims post 9/11
In the time of the cold war, there was an immense fear of communism in the United States. There was political and military tension between the western world, and the communist world. Each side possessed nuclear power, and everyone was held in suspension waiting for a war to erupt, although it never did. During this time, there was a witch hunt in the United States, and more specifically in the entertainment industry. Hollywood directors, screenwriters, and actors were accused of being communist and infiltrating propaganda into their films, and were blacklisted from working in Hollywood. This seems to parallel the experiences of the American Muslims after the terrorist attacks of 9/11. After the attacks, there was an unjustified fear of American Muslims and people of Middle Eastern ethnicities in general. The government even created new laws enabling them to tap phones, and spy on suspects, without direct evidence or proof or wrongdoing, without search warrants. In doing so, the government illegally persecuted innocent suspects, just as the Hollywood ten were illegally jailed.
The Hollywood ten is a specific example of how the government illegally jailed innocent people because of fear and speculation of communism rising in America. Artists were blacklisted from work because of their alleged membership in the American Communist Party, involvement in liberal or humanitarian political causes that enforcers of the blacklist associated with communism, and refusal to assist investigations into Communist Party activities, and some were blacklisted because their names were mentioned by those on trial. Suspected communists working in the film industry were forced to appear before the House of un American Activities Committee to testify about Communism and if they were associated with it. While some answered the questions and some gave names implicating others as being involved in Communism, ten refused to give evidence or specify their political affiliations. Citing their First Amendment rights, their defense failed and the Hollywood Ten were convicted and ordered to serve 1-year in prison, although it has never been illegal to be a communist.
American Muslims and others of Middle Eastern Ethnicity in post 9/11 were subjected to the same treatments because of fear and speculation of terrorism. The emergence of hate crimes directed towards people of Middle Eastern decent was absolutely unbelievable. Fear and speculation even gave rise to the Patriot Act, which has been widely criticized as being unconstitutional, just like the HUAC hearings in 1950. The Patriot act gives the government powers to get phone, banking and other records by the power of a national security letter, which does not require a court warrant. In the national security letter, the FBI says in writing that the information is relevant to an ongoing terrorism or national security investigation, yet the government doesn’t need to show any proof or basis for their illegal search and seizure. Because of the nature of the patriot act, it unfairly targets minorities, and people of Middle Eastern decent. Following September 11th, many Arabs, South Asians and Muslims along with Americans of Arab decent reported being questioned by the FBI and other law enforcement agencies. There were also reports of the FBI conducting surveillance on mosques and Islamic centers. Reasons for this increase in surveillance varied from protecting America from future attacks, to ensuring the safety of Muslims from becoming victims of hate crime, it seems as though these minorities are being unfairly targeted.
There are many examples of the government doing illegal things. The Hollywood Ten and people of Middle Eastern decent have been targeted because of fears from the government, and fears from the people.
Your compare and contrast between the HUAC/Red Scare in the 1950s and the witch hunts of today is good. However, make sure that you don't stray too far away from Cinema history in your blogs (this time you were right on the edge).
ReplyDelete- Ruth
I enjoyed reading this blog! I never thought of connecting the black listed actors to muslims that have been, and are still being, shunned from American society. I agree with Ruth in that it did stray a little, but it was very informative and organized. Next time, try and provide examples of how muslims diretly relate to the media. I recall there being a tv show on TLC called All-American Muslim that shows how muslims try and fit in to american society post 9/11. That might have been interesting to tie in.
ReplyDeleteSabrina Otness