I remember 1953 very clearly, so my reaction to the episode is rather visceral. The headlines were full of the broken treaties/agreements with the USSR. The fear of Communism was widespread. Unfortunately the McCarthy excesses have made it seem it was a harmless bogeyman.
The association of the Red scare with the struggle for civil rights was NOT as widespread, especially outside the Old South. The persecution of this teacher seems unlikely given the locale.
I rated it highly because it was a well-presented dilemma for any man of conscience: stand for one's principles or protect one's family. We saw martyrs like Medgar Evers make the hard choice. I see this being repeated today in some countries where religious freedom is denied, where changing your religion or sharing your faith is inviting prison or a death sentence.
The actual motive in this case, however, was not one of racism or conscience, but a combination of love and fear for the object of that love.
The association of the Red scare with the struggle for civil rights was NOT as widespread, especially outside the Old South. The persecution of this teacher seems unlikely given the locale.
I rated it highly because it was a well-presented dilemma for any man of conscience: stand for one's principles or protect one's family. We saw martyrs like Medgar Evers make the hard choice. I see this being repeated today in some countries where religious freedom is denied, where changing your religion or sharing your faith is inviting prison or a death sentence.
The actual motive in this case, however, was not one of racism or conscience, but a combination of love and fear for the object of that love.
