Old stuff and New England are pretty much synonymous. Traces of America's beginning litter our landscape from one end to the other, and these bits and pieces give us a sense of history (particularly the idea that this bizarre experiment we call the United States started here, thanks to a bunch of gutsy nut cases who weren't too proud to steal from the locals.) Massachusetts is particularly good at gathering up the detritus of our past and arranging it in a way that tells our story--whether we come off looking good or not.
In Salem, pretty little cottages like this one line one side of a small green that is part of the Salem Witch Trial Memorial. The low granite wall contains benches carved with the names of the men and women murdered by the state after being accused of witchcraft.
On the way up to Salem last weekend, we listened to Arthur Miller's The Crucible. That moment we learn that Giles Corey was pressed to death because he wouldn't admit to crimes he didn't commit choked me up yet again. (It brought back memories of a performance of this play at the Abbey Theater in Dublin many years ago. The audience erupted at this moment in the play, rising to their feet and clapping for Giles Corey. The analog of British abuse in Ireland and all the show trials, wrongful imprisonments, and other forms of political control in the North was clear and obvious to that audience.)
Students at a school in Maine had written to the victims of the witch trials had written to the victims and explained how bullying and scapegoating go on today.
The last words were the first words, and they were lonely words. The brutality of those times came alive and shook me perhaps because, as Arthur Miller's work reminds us, they are not so far away.
Our World Tuesday
19 Comments
bullies continue even within families...
ReplyDeleteSuch a brutal ignorant time. You would think things would get better but it is a struggle even today.
ReplyDeleteYes, the bullies do continue and within families as well. Obviously we are a hard headed lot because we still haven't learned a great deal about acceptance, kindness and love for all. I, too, would like to think we/things have gotten better over the years, but I'm afraid for the most part it's just wishful thinking. Wonderful post for the day, Sandy!
ReplyDeletehadn't considered the connection to today's bullying, but so true.
ReplyDeleteWe recently watched a Documentary about the Witches of Salem. Chilling!
ReplyDeleteWe also have our places of such bad history, The Tower Of London for a start!
Maggie X
Nuts in May
That's quite disturbing. Like the previous commenter said, I too hadn't thought of the link with bullying.
ReplyDeleteSeeing the actual names carved on a memorial makes it real - not past.
ReplyDeleteWe must be vigilant,
Aloha from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
> < } } ( ° >
This will certainly remain much in my mind. Thank you. Please have a good Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandy for reminding us that history repeats itself, perhaps i.n different forms. But in this case bullying is at the core of the abuse, and at the core of bullying is a misguided craving for power. And I guess at the core of this, is fear. It leads people to 'protect' themselves in hateful ways
ReplyDeleteAn interesting piece of history. I have been to that memorial site. Bullying has a long history.
ReplyDeletea different from usual post and it can be a tribute to those dearly departed.
ReplyDeletei remember learning of the salem witches and the hangings when i was young. i was horrified. i read things: if you had a beauty mark or freckles (i be freckly) that is the mark(s) of evil and killed. So scary! it is horrifying what has gone on and still goes on here on beloved earth!thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots of interesting place.
ReplyDeleteSo much of brutality... horrifying.Reading disturbs and I can comprehend what seeing in real would be like.
ReplyDeleteHorrifying to see witch hunts still going on today.
ReplyDeleteThat first shot is charming!
Hi there - interesting post. I think this event still has huge significance today. Too many people are willing to forget the exact reason why these people were hung and who hung them.
ReplyDeleteStewart M - Australia
Very interesting post, but I shiver when I read what is written on the gravestones !
ReplyDeleteI know that Arthur Miller wrote that play during the McCarthy witch hunts, which I almost remember (remember my parents talking about anyway)....
ReplyDeleteWill we ever learn? Doubly heart-wrenching to think about the history and the notes about bullying left by the school kids.
I guess one good thing is that the State doesn't try to white-wash its past.. and maybe being there and seeing this will change somebody's life.
Powerful post.
ReplyDeleteHere in Tulsa in the Greenwood section of downtown where the Tulsa Race Riot raged way back when there are markers set in the sidewalk describing the business or other building that was there that had been burned out. There are hundreds of markers.
Thanks for being here.