The Salem witchcraft trials were a significant event in American history, taking place in the late 17th century in colonial Massachusetts. The trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft, resulting in the execution of 20 individuals. The hysteria and fear that gripped the community during this time were fueled by religious beliefs, superstitions, and social tensions. The accusations of witchcraft began in January 1692 when a group of young girls claimed to be possessed by the Devil and accused several local women of practicing witchcraft. These accusations quickly spread, leading to the arrest and interrogation of numerous individuals, mainly women. The hearings were conducted in courts, where the accused were subjected to intense questioning and often forced to endure physical tests to determine their guilt or innocence.
I don't even have a plan right now
Cause I can't see tomorrow
Cause I don't even really wanna wake up
Wanna wake up
Wanna wake up
Wanna wake
Babe I know I ve done you wrong I can hear it in your songs I can see it on your face Won t be long for I m replaced I ll miss the times we had And I ll miss the laughs we shared I ll miss staying up till midnight And the times when everything felt right. Writer Julianne Escobedo Shepherd discusses dancing to Salt-N-Pepa s Blacks Magic in her childhood bedroom and the way the album was her gateway to understanding feminism.
The hearings were conducted in courts, where the accused were subjected to intense questioning and often forced to endure physical tests to determine their guilt or innocence. The trials were presided over by judges who believed in the existence of witchcraft and the Devil. The burden of proof was shifted onto the accused, and if they could not provide a satisfactory defense or prove their innocence, they were convicted and sentenced to death.
Records That Changed Our Lives, Teen Edition: 'Tidal,' 'Blacks' Magic,' Beyoncé's '4'
Beyoncé's 4, Salt-N-Pepa's Blacks' Magic and Fiona Apple's Tidal are featured in our Records That Changed Our Lives series.
Photo Illustration by Estefania Mitre/NPR/Getty Images
Last year, NPR Music asked 12 writers to answer that question as part of Turning the Tables. That's our long-running project about musical greatness, where we discuss artists, histories and lists of songs and albums that make up the popular music canon and challenge the often sexist and exclusionary way that canon has been shaped. Turning the Tables has published lists of the 150 Greatest Albums Made By Women, the 200 Greatest Songs By 21st Century Women + and more. In last year's series, we turned the lens on our own lives by enlisting women and non-binary critics to each tell us about one life-changing record by a woman artist. This March, for Women's History Month, we're taking over All Song Considered every Wednesday to go deep with writers from the series.
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This week, host Ann Powers — NPR Music critic and correspondent, and co-founder of Turning the Tables — is joined by three writers whose essays describe how it feels to hear a life-changing record as a teenager. Writer Julianne Escobedo Shepherd discusses dancing to Salt-N-Pepa's Blacks' Magic in her childhood bedroom and the way the album was her gateway to understanding feminism. For NPR Music's LaTesha Harris, hearing Beyoncé's 4 as a teen imbued her with a sense of confidence and made her feel less alone. And writer Lindsay Zoladz also discusses an album that was a source of strength for her during a time of teenage loneliness: Fiona Apple's Tidal.
You can listen to our full conversation at the audio link at the top of the page, and hear songs we discussed below.
Now that you’ve come clear with the intent, Alexa suggests setting the intention to music, with your “voice, an orchestra of toy instruments, live electronic processing, and live coding.” They add, “No matter how the music comes to you though, the most important component of songspell casting is listening to yourself and centering your intention.”
The evidence presented in these trials was often based on hysterical testimonies, spectral evidence, and hearsay. The Salem witchcraft trials saw the execution of 20 people, with others dying in jail or facing various punishments. Many of the accused were socially marginalized women, particularly those who did not conform to societal norms or held different beliefs. The trials reflected the deeply ingrained sexism and misogyny of the time, as well as the religious fervor and fear of the unknown. The trials eventually came to an end when the Governor of Massachusetts intervened and disbanded the special court that had been established to handle the cases. The trials left a lasting impact on American history, serving as a reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria, the power of superstition, and the importance of justice and due process. In the years following the trials, there was a growing recognition of the injustices that had occurred. Efforts were made to exonerate those who had been accused and to apologize for the wrongful convictions. In 1957, the state of Massachusetts formally apologized for the events of the Salem witch trials, acknowledging the flaws in the legal proceedings and the devastating consequences for the accused. The Salem witchcraft trials remain a fascinating and sobering chapter in American history. They serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of persecution and the importance of protecting the rights of the accused. Today, Salem has become a tourist destination, with museums, memorials, and reenactments dedicated to preserving and educating people about this dark period in American history..
Reviews for "The Aftermath of Salem Witchcraft: A Community Destroyed"
1. John Doe - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with the "Salem witchcraft special". The show claimed to be an in-depth exploration of the historical events, but it ended up being a sensationalized and exaggerated version of the story. I was hoping for a more factual and educational approach, but instead, it felt like I was watching a cheesy horror movie. The production quality was also quite subpar, with cheap-looking costumes and cheesy special effects. Overall, I felt like the show missed the mark and failed to deliver on its promises.
2. Jane Smith - 1/5 stars - I found the "Salem witchcraft special" to be incredibly misleading and irresponsible. The show seemed more interested in creating sensationalism and drama rather than accurately depicting the historical events. It perpetuated harmful stereotypes and misconceptions about witches, reinforcing negative beliefs and prejudices. Additionally, the show lacked any real depth or critical analysis, opting instead for cheap jump scares and theatrical performances. I was really disappointed in the overall approach and would not recommend it to anyone genuinely interested in learning about the Salem witchcraft trials.
3. Sarah Johnson - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to watch the "Salem witchcraft special" as I have always been fascinated by the topic. Unfortunately, the show fell short of my expectations. It felt like the producers focused more on creating entertaining and shocking moments rather than providing an accurate and informative portrayal of the events. The pacing was uneven, with too much time dedicated to unnecessary reenactments and dramatic sequences. I would have preferred a more grounded and factual approach to the subject matter. Overall, I was left feeling disappointed and unsatisfied with the show.