Exploring the Historical Role of the 'Outside Agitator'

The concept of the 'outside agitator' has a long history in the United States, dating back to the era of slavery where abolitionists were labeled as such. The Red Scare in the 20th century saw the height of this term's use, particularly during the Cold War and McCarthyism era. Being labeled an 'outside agitator' was a tool of repression, associating activists pushing for civil rights with communism and un-American ideas. This category of outsider status has been politically manipulated to legitimize some individuals while delegitimizing others, especially effective against black individuals who were already marginalized in society.