I was watching this somewhat interesting movie out of boredom, which briefly dwelled on the topic of the inquisitions and how the people of Venice turned from fawning over courtesans to blaming them for all the ills that befell them. And essentially how they were tried and convicted as witches. In case you're wondering, it wasn't a documentary, just something Netflix popped up on my screen. Also, in case you're about to cringe and shy away fearing yet another history lesson, well, don't, I'm not gonna explain what the inquisition was.
One fact I do wish to discuss, is how in history, women have been blamed for a lot of ills that occured. They deserve credit, they've taken the flak for a lot of things which weren't their fault at all. It's quite interesting how we tend to try and find scapegoats for everything. Whenever things are going well, we are happy and adore the people revelling in success. But as soon as things turn bad, we revile the very same people, blaming them for all ills. In history, though we didn't exactly place women on a pedestal, but they were usually the ones blamed whenever any natural calamity struck. Courtesy, religion, and the world being male dominated. The Holy Inquisition is just the worst of the kind that took place. And to look at it, history is littered with similar incidences where a few exploited people's insecurities to label a certain section as responsible for all ills. The most famous of them all is probably Hitler's crusade against the Jews, but it is probably not the bloodiest or the one affecting the most number of people. Essentially, we start becoming a one man justice system, and give them no real chance to defend themselves. That's probably the herd mentality, or simple ignorance. When we suffer by no fault of ours, we often want some scapegoat to blame.
And actually we don't need to go too far back to look for evidence of such acts. The recent Wall street crashes and global economic collapse is a simple example. We were quick to blame the bankers who handle these things. Well, not to say they aren't at all responsible for what's happened, but simply, the majority aren't, and it's this majority that's been hit the worst by this. But then why do we blame them? jealousy. We've watched these people enjoy a lavish existence, by apparently doing no work, while we suffer and slave in our daily lives. Well, it's a little true, it's hard not to feel envious of their existence, and we inherently bide our time to hit back at the ones we feel jealous of, it's simple human nature. And since now it's our time, we blame the entire kind of bankers for all ills, a kind that needs to be purged or controlled to fix things. Similar arguments tend to be used in communal riots, an event that's sadly too common in my own country. Even more so, I've heard many more such arguments in the "war against terror". So why does that deserve quotes? we've so simply put the tag of a terrorist on just about every muslim we see, that it's actually disturbing. The people we vilify as terrorists, do we ever try to find out what plagued their lives. While I still don't condone their actions, I can see why some would take up arms. They are shown such similar arguments against the west, like you are shown against them. They have their own insecurities, some have probably suffered a personal loss as well. But the general fear would probably be sufficient to induce such a condition. Any smart person knows how easy it is to brainwash a scared person, you can simply make them do whatever you want. Manipulation of others is like a primal tool we all have, and use subconciously everyday. Some are better at this than others, and most of these people, become leaders in little time.
What you can take from this? look at someone who the world, or even you despise with an impartial eye. Look at the circumstances that made them do the things they did, what would you do in their situation. And before judging "I'd never do that still!" remember what crazy things your mind can make you do when insecure. And maybe look at that person, and give him a second chance, a benefit of doubt to earn your respect, before you move on. Maybe if we all did that, the world might just be a better place.
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