One thing I have come to notice in history is how it repeats itself through subtle similarities and compelling parallels.
We like to think we’ve evolved past the Salem witch hunts, with no more burning at the stake, accusing innocent women of pernicious crimes, and torches lighting up the crisp night sky. Instead, this narrative simply reinvented itself through time and history.
Flash forward to today, a single post, story, or rumour can spark a modern witch hunt, and the court of public opinion will not hesitate to strike the match.
The echo of history is impossible to ignore and is relevant today as society still fears women who won’t apologize for their power. Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries of early America, constant accusations of witchcraft had little to do with potions and spells. Many accused “witches” were usually healers, widows, or women who refused to obey men. Independence was their crime.
The witch hunters did not care about protecting society from evil, but more so about protecting the precious patriarchy from disobedience of “misbehaved” women. Fear surrounded women’s freedom and spiralled into a moral panic that eventually became a murderous streak in Salem. As time passed, the witch became a feminist symbol of female power that refused to be silenced.
In today’s society, the stake has been traded for a screen, where public trials unfold with social media serving as the newfound legal system. A single post, clip, or headline can spark the digital mob, suddenly ruining a woman’s reputation, igniting it into flames. Suddenly, the modern witch isn’t being accused of casting spells, but is now seen as “problematic,” “chaotic,” or “attention seeking.”
When Britney Spears spiraled under constant pressure from fans and paparazzi, the world laughed in her face instead of listening to her pain. Overnight, she became the tabloid’s entertainment. Taylor Swift was labelled manipulative for writing about heartache and painted as someone who couldn’t find a man to settle down with. Additionally, one of the most famous victims of cancel culture, Monica Lewinsky, who had her entire reputation destroyed and had to reclaim her narrative years later, after society decided she’d been punished enough.
Every day it feels like there’s a new target, but no new pattern. When a woman is deemed too sexual, too emotional, or simply too loud, the mob of online judgers assembles to punish them for their crimes. While it may not be called witchcraft anymore, the ritual of public humiliation has never really stopped, but simply changed to going viral. Even in today’s modern age, equality has not been achieved, and the standards for men and women remain starkly unequal.
When a man makes a mistake or expresses his genuine, strong opinion, they are usually excused or often celebrated for being “passionate” and “bold.” For instance, Kamala Harris is often criticized by the media for showing her emotion during speeches, which is a response her male counterparts rarely receive. Moreover, Serena Williams has been repeatedly labeled as “out of control” and “angry” for asserting her dominance on the tennis court, while many male players who act the same way are seen as “competitive” or “fiery.”
The message being shown is clear: women in society are constantly being policed for their strong ambition, disguised tone, and loud demeanour, while men rarely face the same critique. History has changed its tools, but the double standard has not disappeared for women. The story is eerily familiar, spanning from the Salem witch trials to modern-day social media.
Women who step out of society’s lines are shamed and punished by a public online audience. While many of the tools like torches and pitchforks have been traded in for hashtags and viral threads, the intent remains the same. Silence and control are needed to remind women of their “place” in society.
Recognizing such patterns is the first step towards breaking them and how society can move forward towards creating a culture for women to speak and lead without fear of public crucifixion.