On the anniversary of Michael Brown’s death, groups of armed men calling themselves “oath
keepers” patrolled the streets of Ferguson, Missouri.
They claimed to have justified interests in upholding the constitution, but many viewed
their presence as unwarranted and outdated vigilantism.
So what exactly are vigilantes?
Well, in Spanish, the term “vigilante” means “watchman."
Vigilantes are considered the citizen watchkeepers of their community, but without government
approval or authority.
Vigilantes may work alone or in groups to deliver “vigilante justice” on their own
terms.
Historically they have been controversial figures because the punishments they deliver
to perceived criminals can often be misdirected and overly violent.
However, vigilantes often have local public support, especially when official law enforcement
is corrupt or weak.
In fact, vigilantes are glorified in Western culture.
From the legend of Robin Hood to modern comic book superheroes, they are portrayed as protectors
of the common man.
Vigilantism also plays an integral role in American history.
In the 1700s, colonists reacted to corrupt British rule and took the law into their own
hands, often protesting and terrorizing British-sympathizers.
Later, as pioneers explored the western frontier, there simply wasn’t enough law enforcement
to police the vast west.
So average citizens were forced to deal with crime themselves.
This form of vigilante justice was known as “Frontier Justice."
Lynching was a common tactic of vigilante mobs during the 19th century, both to punish
and deter criminals.
But despite a long American history of vigilantism, there are huge drawbacks to its use.
Vigilante Justice doled out by just one person or an angry mob has proven to be highly biased
and subject to unjust killings and brutal torture.
Countless deplorable examples of vigilantism have occurred against African Americans in
the South.
Victims would be summarily executed without a trial at the hands of racist vigilante groups
like the Ku Klux Klan.
To guard against this kind of misguided justice, American laws endeavor to strictly separate
law enforcement and the judicial system from the bias of an angry vigilante mob.
In the words of John Adams, America is “a government of laws, not of men."
But vigilante justice still remains a hot button issue, especially as the practice adapts
to the digital age.
Internet shaming, known as “Digilantism” was recently responsible for exposing a big
game trophy hunter, and led to death threats against him.
Whatever form it takes, vigilantism represents a system of justice that is highly corruptible,
and when used by the wrong people can have devastating results.
Growing distrust of police forces is part of the reason why some people become vigilantes.
Watch this video to find out if U.S. police are too militarized.
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