The Danger of Salem: Stereotyping & Commercialization of Witches

Wow -- everyday I see the visceral dislike of Salem Mass. aka Witch City. It appears as much as it is loved as a tourist spot, it's attention grabbing ability; it is despised as part of our community. It is seen as an ugly place filled with oversized personalities and a embarrassment to the community. In the question of why we choose to move to Salem, and the questioning is not slacking but apparently increasingly, as we get closer. It is surprising that the Leanne '˜What Not to Wear' episode triggered even greater response. While it was strong, it seems that the idea of potential stereotyping and commercialization has become the essential argument.

I could simply ignore this questioning blaming it on naysayers and those who see our community as '˜better' than Salem but I will not. Those who tend to naysay continuously are also the people who have either a vested interest in community failure or has a counter interest in having success occur in a different format. Now this is different than honest worries and considerations, and it is to those who have reasonable fears that I am addressing this too. I recognize there are those with who will never agree with me, so I will let them say, as they will, and simply push forward. For those who wish to hear it, there is more than meets the eye to Salem and the events surrounding it.

Salem is for good or for ill, the place people think about when they think of Witches. The real world atrocity that took place still lingers with us after more than 316 years. It haunts us, as a culture, in a way that still frightens us and in many ways titillate us. The Salem Witch Trials are and will be for a long time to come, and the lesson and story is taught and retaught again and again to all our children, as it was taught to us, as it will be taught to children all over the world. The Salem Witch Trials story will not fade and continues as strong today as it has at any point in history. No one will forget this and it creates a demand on Salem to recognize this, and become a shining beacon in this world today.

If Symbol Magic works, and I believe it does, then Salem has taken an even greater step by accepting the title Witch City. By being Witch City, they are sending a signal that it is a city where witches are to be accepted. Of course, as a Halloween Symbol, it is very powerful and is wonderful for the tourist industry. In the shadow of this, real practicing Witches and Wiccans, are able to make an income for themselves to pursue their arts and studies, to have families, and to develop a life. As time goes on, they are also gaining economic strength, and as their numbers grow, they are gaining politic strength as well. It is quite possible in the next decade that Salem will have Wiccans and Witches sitting in City council, and other elected positions, including the possibility of mayor. This is because Witch City is becoming a city for Witches to do more than simply survive but thrive.

So while Salem is brash, bold, excessive, commercial and even a bit stereotypical in it's appearance, it is also a community that is growing, gaining in strength, and will someday have the power and authority to control their future, through finances, business, and even politics. This is the promise of Salem's future that we are helping create by being in this city, and from Witch City share that strength with the world community as well.