Emma Goldman
Individualism has been an exaggerated phenomenon, especially in the American context. The idea behind individualism is that every man stands for themselves and does not care about what happens in their neighbor’s house. However, Emma Goldman had a different idea concerning individualism. The Americans were made to believe that they were individualists, while in the real sense, they were a different group of people. Goldman was correct in thinking that individualism was a myth in the United States during the economic revolution. First, the US is a known democracy that believes in the power of the majority. The mythical aspect of individualism is visible in the way minorities are harassed, misunderstood, tortured, and even killed without public outcry. The society does not pay attention to the impact of individualism as it is claimed. Generally, Goldman is right that individualism is a myth in the US and that pluralism remains the central aspect of the society in the US.
Emma Goldman is right in her claim that unrestricted majority is a danger to the society and the rights of the people in the community. When majority power is respected over minority power, policies are made according to tyrannies and not their applicability to the society. A society that believes in the power of the majority cannot, at the same time, assume that independence of thought should be allowed in the community. Therefore, individuals with helpful opinions are overlooked, and the views of the majority taken without considering their impact on society. Goldman also highlights the role played by minorities in delivering people from the slavery of the majority.
The US society today makes sense of Goldman’s words. First, democracy has dominated the society, and opinions of the minority no longer count in decision making. People are continually making regrettable decisions for following the masses instead of making individual but reformed decisions. Generally, Goldman’s words were a reflection of today’s US society.
Reference
Goldman, E. (1996). Minorities versus majorities (Vol. 1). Library of Alexandria.