They look for a victim to chivy, and howl him down, and…
“They look for a victim to chivy, and howl him down, and finally lynch him in a sheer storm of sexual frenzy which they honestly imagine to be moral indignation, patriotic passion or some equally allowable emotion, it may be an innocent Negro, a Jew like Leo Frank, a harmless half-witted German; a Christ-like idealist of the type of Debs, an enthusiastic reformer like Emma Goldman.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote condemns mob mentality that disguises violent oppression as moral or patriotic fervor, targeting vulnerable groups.
In simple terms: Mob violence hides behind false moral claims.
Key Takeaway
Questionize and resist collective hysteria.
Themes
justice
mob mentality
prejudice
politics
violence
Mood
angry
critical
defiant
Type
political
social
cautionary
When to use this quote
- civil rights protests
- political rallies
- online harassment
- authoritarian regimes
Key Concepts
Moral panic
scapegoating
groupthink
Questions to Reflect On
- Who do you see being scapegoated today?
- How can societies protect minorities from collective rage?
A Different Perspective
Such fervor can be manipulated by leaders to justify oppression.