Why is vigilantism as a solution attractive to some people?

Question

There have always been vigilantes in our society from the lynch mobs who hanged African American men to men looking to exact revenge against disliked segments of society (gang members, sex offenders, etc.)

Why do some persist in thinking that vigilantism is any type of solution to problems faced by society?

I asked this question because I am the potential target of a vigilantism due to my status as the girlfriend of a registered sex offender. My motivation is to find out why some people feel vigilantism is acceptable in given circumstances, not just particularly my situation.

This copy of a vigilante mob justice is the precise reason why vigilantes should be severely punished and law enforcement should do more to prevent vigilantism.

Vigilante mob beats wrong man to death in N.C.
Police charge 10 men, ages 16 to 30, with murder for fatal attack
The Associated Press

Updated: 7:59 a.m. PT Sept 3, 2006
MARSHVILLE, N.C. - An angry mob fatally beat a man whom they mistakenly thought was involved in the disappearance of their friend, shortly before police arrested and charged another person in the crime.
Union County Sheriff’s deputies found Tony Lorin Blakeney at his home with serious injuries Friday. He later died at a hospitaMF
Ten men, ages 16 to 30, were charged with murder in the attack. They were being held without bond until an Oct. 4 court date.
“This is the worst beating attack I’ve ever seen,” Sheriff Eddie Cathey said.
Authorities said they don’t believe Blakeney was connected to the disappearance and death of Patrick Antwone McClendon.

Answer 1

I understand to some degree their frustration with the court and prison system, and yet, America has one of the highest percentages of it's population in prison of any developed nation.

I honestly think Americans may be more fearful of crime than other people. Not because they are more likely to be a victim, but because our system is so transparent, and our media and politicians so manipulative with "data."

People here, for example, shout a lot about the "sexual predators," those horrible child molesters listed as "registered sex offenders." The reality is that half (I don't really mean half, I mean "some percentage that I don't know, but a bunch") of those guys were 18 and their 15 1/2-year-old girlfriend's parents had them arrested. Yup, they were idiots, and yup, they broke the law, but they are probably no danger to your six year old. The danger to your six year old is more likely Uncle Joe, your brother, or your spouses brother or some other family member you never would have suspected.

We want to be able to throw rocks to protect ourselves. If the politicians give us an enemy to attack (like illegal immigrants in America, or Jews in 1930's Germany), it makes us feel that we have some control over our safety.

I don't know the answers, unless it's for each of us to take a real look at how much danger we are *really* in on a day to day basis, and take precautions to prevent the dangers we can, and forget about the ones against which we cannot prepare. I do know that vigilantism isn't the answer, nor is locking up the majority of our young men, or executing children.

Answer 2

I think that people who engage in Vigilantism are doing so because it give them a sense of self righteousness. They are telling themselves that "see I am not so bad I am killing this BADDER guy" There is the case of the guy that came down from Canada and shot two sex offender's in the head. Very little was said about this. One of the victims was ,, I think 19 ,, Y/O and was charge with a misdemeanor. We see the same reasoning in prisons, the sex offenders is a target by the other NICE GENTLEMEN in prison
I might add that a lot of blacks were lynched for the "sport "of it.

Answer 3

As to why, why you have enough of those answers already and they cannot help you.

As for what to do about it, well, first, anyone who would target you as a girlfriend of a registered sex offender needs to get their head examined.

And second, if you ever run into trouble, I hope you have resources to stay safe. If not, there are plenty of people out there ... good people ... who can legally help you who do not work within the system (although they respect it). If you need help, I might be able to assist you.

Answer 4

Vigilantism can be a good thing. The government acknowledges that it cannot protect you. It simply makes the crime report and possibly puts the criminal on trial. It couldn't protect White women from black rapists so the Klan did the job.Or did you think they lynched blacks just for fun? Of course, the Media would have you believe that. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Answer 5

Because the legal system, courts, police, state attorney, and judges have all failed at their jobs. Our open porous borders are another example why we need vigilantes, and the failure of our govt to detect and stop terrorism is primarily why you will see more vigilantes as the days progress.

Answer 6

Because hunting out of season is a crime will get you shot by your honky friends for stealing their deer that they were gonna shoot before you did, but when you get together with a bunch of your honky friends and shoot people that you don't like, what is anybody gonna do?
And this is why we should just make robotic deer that never die, repel bullets, and act just like real deer so that people have something to shoot at other then black people or mexicans or jews or gays or people who are different.

Answer 7

The legal system is so clogged. The cost and time it takes to convict. There are also the serial killers and rapist , not to mention the child killers who rape and kill innocent children. Some people feel its a waste of time for these people and justice would be better served putting a bullet in their head.
Example:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/04/20/florida.sexoffender/index.html

Answer 8

probable no longer. i do no longer care how i glance too lots. I in basic terms bypass out and have a solid time! of course, i'm not sure what others think of, yet who cares! I take a seat at stadiums searching for autographs. i think of i want a existence in a fashion. poll: relies upon on the form. i in my opinion like those style-Ice popsicles, yet different than that, ice cream. regardless of suits my flavor buds on the time is physically powerful for me!

Answer 9

because if a cop forgets to read a murderer his rights he gets off and nothing happens to the cop so that why i say they should already know there rights and if they dont its their fault and if a cop forgets to read the rights we should be like ireland or canada or other countrys dont let the scum go dock the cops pay. that is the common sense thing to do

Answer 10

Is OJ simpson a free man today?