Remembering Salem

In the winter of 1691 a disease ran through the town of Salem, Massachusetts like wildfire; the disease was an obsession with witches. That winter two girls fell inexplicably ill, soon after three more girls began feeling the same pinching, prickling and knifelike sensations and pains. From what doctors could tell there was no explanation, except for witchcraft. From that point on, it would be a crazy game of pointing fingers to figure out who the "witches" were. In all of the chaos, twenty people were convicted and killed and over a hundred jailed.

Why were so may killed and put in jail though? The reasoning is not completely clear but there are speculations to why. One cause to why, is that one of the influential leaders, Cotton Mather, supported the idea that witchcraft existed. In a documented speech from 1689 Cotton Mather argues why witches exist, saying "Those who deny it (witchcraft) exists argue that they never saw any witches, therefore there are none. That would be as if you or I said 'we never met any robbers, therefore there are none' ". Another cause is the feud between Salem village and Salem town that was intensified during that time period. During that time period Salem village started paying taxes to Salem Town causing obvious discontent. A map "The geography of Witchcraft Salem Village, 1692"  depicts the areas that were primarily accusers (Salem Village)  and the areas that consisted mostly of the accused  (Salem Town). These reason help in understanding how such a thing is possible.


Apologies and Remembrances

The Salem Award Foundation is dedicated to the remembrance of the Salem witch trials and translates the unfair persecutions that were done into modern day lessons of tolerance. One of the ways they have  memorialized the victims is with stones and plantings that represent the social indifference to what happened. The memorial is partially enclosed by three granite walls with inscribed protests of innocence by the victims. This memorial is a great indication on how past persecutions and suffering can enlighten us in modern day.