We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.
Kurt Vonnegut
In the Puritan town of Salem, Massachusetts, paranoia spread when a group of young girls claimed to be possessed by witches.
Accusations quickly multiplied, fueled by religious extremism, personal grudges, and fear of the unknown.
The court relied on “spectral evidence”—claims of seeing spirits—leading to the execution of 20 people and imprisonment of many more.
As the hysteria grew, even respected members of the community were accused. Eventually, the trials ended when authorities realized the injustice.
The event remains a cautionary tale about the dangers of mass hysteria, false accusations, and the abuse of power.
The Salem Witch Trials remind us of the importance of reason, justice, and protecting people from wrongful persecution.
Vocabulary Bank:
- Superstition – Takhayul
- Paranoia – Ketakutan berlebihan
- Accusation – Tuduhan
- Hysteria – Kepanikan besar
- Persecution – Penganiayaan
Soal:
Can you think of any modern examples where fear or misinformation led to unjust treatment of people?
