The year 2020 has been marked by a resurgence of witch hunts, metaphorically speaking. In recent months, public figures, celebrities, and even ordinary citizens have fallen victim to this modern-day phenomenon. While the term "witch hunt" traditionally refers to the unjust persecution of individuals accused of practicing witchcraft, the contemporary usage is more concerned with the collective condemnation of individuals based on allegations or rumors. Social media platforms have played a significant role in accelerating and amplifying these witch hunts. The speed at which information spreads online, combined with the potential for misinformation and the absence of context, often leads to a swift and ruthless judgment of individuals. The lack of due process and a presumption of innocence deprives those accused of their fundamental rights.
Magic Elixir: Snake Oil Salesmen and Patent Medicine of the Late 1800s
While the concept of “patent medicine” in America can be traced back at least to the Colonial era, its heyday lasted from the Civil War through the early 1900s. The term “patent medicine” usually refers to elixirs, tonics or liniments protected by trademark – but often containing questionable ingredients of dubious effectiveness and safety.
Here in the George Ranch Historical Park’s collection, we have several objects that tell the story of patent medicine:
The first is a bottle, dating likely from 1880-1910, of “Morley’s Liver and Kidney Cordial.” Supposedly, the cordial would cure “all diseases of the liver, kidneys, stomach, and bowels, such as Liver Complaint, Biliousness, Malarial Diseases, Indigestion, Constipation, Kidney and Bladder troubles and all Diseases arising from Impure Blood and Deranged System.”
The second bottle dates much later – probably 1957! – and was said to make “Children & Adults as Fat as Pigs.”
The lack of due process and a presumption of innocence deprives those accused of their fundamental rights. Moreover, the prevalence of cancel culture has further fueled this witch hunt mentality. Expressing differing opinions or making a mistake can result in an individual being "canceled" or socially ostracized.
Snake Oil Salesmen
Sometimes, peddlers of these treatments were called “Snake Oil Salesmen.” The term “snake oil” came from a traditional Chinese medicinal remedy (which actually does come from the Chinese Water Snake and is used to treat joint pain). However, unlike the real snake oil, patent medicine ingredients were entirely unregulated and often contained ingredients like alcohol, cocaine and heroin. While these ingredients did relieve pain and make the patient feel “good,” their addictive nature meant that the one who bought it would have to re-buy to continue to get their fix!
Snake Oil Salesmen traveled around the country, selling their elixirs as they went. They served a greater function than just swindling; they also provided entertainment and brought news from other towns. From the 1840s through the 1860s, these shows were usually one-man operations. After the Civil War, medicine shows grew to full cast productions with musical entertainment and other acts. Medicine show popularity peaked after the turn of the century, and the final “real” medicine show took place off-Broadway in 1969.
You can see a re-enactment of an old-fashioned medicine show every October at the Texian Market Days festival. Note the patent medicine bottle in the right-hand corner!
Do you think you could have made it as a Snake Oil Salesman? Give it a try with the activity below!
Even minor missteps can lead to a public shaming and a long-lasting impact on one's personal and professional life. It is important to recognize the dangers of this witch hunt culture. While it is crucial to hold individuals accountable for their actions, it is equally important to allow for dialogue, understanding, and growth. The current climate, however, fosters an environment of fear and censorship, hindering the possibility of genuine progress. In order to combat the witch hunt mentality, it is vital for people to approach allegations and controversies with a critical and objective lens. Instead of immediately jumping to conclusions, it is crucial to gather all the facts, consider different perspectives, and allow for a fair investigation. Engaging in respectful discourse and debating ideas constructively can lead to a healthier and more inclusive society. Ultimately, the witch hunt phenomenon in 2020 reflects the dangerous erosion of due process, empathy, and open-mindedness. It is imperative for individuals to actively resist this trend and promote a culture of fairness and understanding. Only then can we hope to navigate the challenges of our times and foster a society that values justice and individual rights..
Reviews for "False Accusations or Justified Outrage? The Witch Hunts of 2020 Under Scrutiny"
- Sarah - 1 star - I found "View the witch hunt that is occurring in 2020" to be highly biased and lacking in evidence. The filmmaker seemed to have a clear agenda, and it felt like they cherry-picked information to support their preconceived theories. As someone who values factual information and balanced perspectives, I was thoroughly disappointed by this documentary. It did not provide a fair and comprehensive analysis of the situation, but rather relied on conspiracy theories and baseless claims.
- John - 2 stars - While I appreciate the attempt to shed light on the alleged witch hunt, "View the witch hunt that is occurring in 2020" failed to convince me of its argument. The documentary lacked coherence and often jumped from one topic to another without proper context or evidence. Additionally, the filmmaker's narration was overly dramatic and sensationalized, which made it difficult to take the film seriously. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unconvinced by the central message of the documentary.
- Michael - 1.5 stars - I watched "View the witch hunt that is occurring in 2020" hoping to gain a deeper understanding of the alleged witch hunt, but I was sorely disappointed. The film seemed more interested in promoting conspiracy theories and fear-mongering rather than presenting a well-researched and logical argument. The lack of credible sources and objective analysis made it difficult for me to engage with the documentary. I would not recommend this film to anyone seeking a balanced and informative perspective on the subject.