Addie Davis
Sept. 24, 2009
SOC 2o2
United Nations officials and civil society representatives from affected countries claim that the murder and persecution of women and children accused of being witches is spreading around the world. U.N. special investigators are researching to find the cause of this witch hysteria. Killings and violence against alleged witch women, often elderly, are becoming common events in countries ranging from South Africa to India. In Nigeria homeless children are being excluded and suspected of witchcraft. Parents or family members often kill the child because they fear if the authorities find them they will be returned to their home. There are tens of thousands of beatings, deprivation of property, banishment, and murders due to this "witch frenzy." "Many agree that poverty, caused by the current world economic crisis, is to blame for this phenomenon as people sought to find scapegoats for their misfortunes and the illness they suffered."
This article reminds me of the Salem Witch Trials because rural communities are beginning to accuse elders and young children of witchcraft to filter out the weak or unwanted of the society. It amazes me that parents would go as far as murder their own children to benefit themselves. Poverty is influencing those affected by it to fight for basic necessitates such as land, shelter, food, and water. The world frugality can cause devastation to communities and affect the lives of everyone by governing their decisions and actions. I never realized how explicitly the economy dictates our future, our culture, and our everyday lives.
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE58M4Q820090923
4 comments:
Wow! Its been a long time since we've had any kind of witch hysteria that was actually acted upon. I personally think its kind of sad that women and children are actually being killed because of it. Thats a little over the top as far as public reactions go. Hopefully it will level out so no one else will be persecuted or discriminated against.
I find it amazing that I knew and have heard absolutely nothing about this. It sounds like the kind of thing the media would go absolutely crazy about... then again - so does genocide.
Wow, I'm also very surprised that I haven't heard about this. But then again, so many things are "hid" from society. I think it's a shame that these women and children are being murdered though.Hopefully something is done about this craziness.
I am shocked that I haven't heard about this until now. I think that it is very horrible that children and women are being killed because of this. I wonde why the media hasn't went crazy over this. It's a terrible thing.
Post a Comment