In the year 2020, the world bore witness to a modern-day witch hunt that unfolded right before our eyes. Unlike the historic witch trials of old, this witch hunt took place in the realm of social media and was fueled by cancel culture. It all began innocently enough, with individuals calling out problematic behavior or actions from public figures. This form of accountability initially seemed like a positive step towards creating a more just society. However, as the year progressed, the witch hunt began to escalate, quickly morphing into a frenzy of online witch-hunting. Somehow, society had lost sight of the original purpose, and individuals were now being targeted and condemned for the slightest misstep or even for expressing unpopular opinions.
But then came the election, its aftermath, and the Capitol attack of Jan. 6, 2021—the culmination of Trump’s monthslong efforts in the lead-up to the counting of electoral votes to discredit the results of the 2020 election. And the car suddenly kicked into gear—powered once again by Trump’s misconduct.
Some of Trump s supporters have opined that the case has been overcharged, particularly in comparison to the treatment of Hillary Clinton by the FBI seven years ago. These investigations contained a few threads, including the hush money payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in advance of the 2016 election.
Somehow, society had lost sight of the original purpose, and individuals were now being targeted and condemned for the slightest misstep or even for expressing unpopular opinions. The mere act of holding a differing viewpoint became grounds for public shaming and ostracization. Twitter became the virtual stakes where people were metaphorically burned for their supposed transgressions.
Shatterbox Theatre unfolds immersive, timeless tale of witch trials
A witch hunt is brewing in Ameliasburgh and people are losing their freedom – and their lives.
The production features a 20-member cast. – Sean Ferguson photo
Visitors to the heart of the heritage village will become first-hand witnesses of the suspense, betrayal and hysteria of the Salem witch trials as they experience the chilling panic and paranoia of jealousy as neighbour accuses neighbour, in the pursuit of power and lust.
Lives are destroyed, and families are torn apart. Who is guilty? Who stands falsely accused?
The compelling drama of The Crucible, a play by Arthur Miller, will be brought to life by a 20-member cast with the County’s Shatterbox Theatre over an eight-show engagement Aug. 24th to Sept. 3rd, 2023.
“I believe that the viewer will discover here the essential nature of one of the strangest and most awful chapters in human history,” said Miller in his introduction to his classic play.
The production is an eight show run Aug. 24th to Sept. 3rd. – Sean Ferguson photo
Staged in the historic Ameliasburgh Heritage Village, the performances will also feature a pre-show walk-through of the village by lantern light where secret discoveries and bewitching moments await guests on their way to their seats. In an immersive theatre experience, attendees can choose to have the opportunity to sit amongst the actors, on stage, and be a part of the action.
The troupe has reimagined the classic as Shatterbox Theatre Company members transport audiences to the 1692 Salem witch trials and immerse them in a world fractured by hysteria, paranoia, and power.
“Staged under the summer-night sky, audiences will bear witness to a trial of faith, justice, and the very notion of truth,” says director Georgia Papanicolau. “With the buildings of the heritage village serving as the stunning backdrop to the performances, Shatterbox Theatre’s team showcases Miller’s anti-McCarthyist screed on pride, hypocrisy, and conformity, reminding us that The Crucible is a timeless tale.”
Thomas Harrison plays 83-year-old Giles Corey. – Sean Ferguson photo
Prince Edward County local talent will shine as the cast includes new and familiar performers from the area and beyond, such as Becky Lamb, Julianna Tyers, Isabella Auciello, Thomas Harrison, Shelley Zebedee, Andrew Brant, and David Litke.
The presentation is co-directed by Papanicolau and Julie Lane, who garnered widespread acclaim and played to sold-out audiences as they brought Spring Awakening and The Drowning Girls to Macaulay Heritage Park last year.
“This production is just building on the immersive opportunities for the audiences of Prince Edward County. The tiered ticketing offers attendees the chance to actually sit amongst the actors, on stage, and truly be a part of the action. Our actors are also excited for the opportunity to work and interact with the audience throughout the storytelling” adds Lane.
Curious to see some behind the scenes action? Shatterbox will host an open house on Saturday, Aug. 19th (new date) from noon-4pm in the PEC Arts Council’s Arts Lab in Picton’s Armoury Mall.
“This will be our home base for the next few weeks where the public can pop in and meet some of the cast and crew, look at costumes, set design and creative vision and learn more about The Salem witch trials,” adds Papanicolaou.
It’s a tall order for the Justice Department, a part of the executive branch, to independently investigate its own sitting head. The department’s leadership thus appointed a special counsel to run the Russia probe: Robert Mueller, who had served as FBI director under presidents of both parties. Mueller was assigned to investigate the Trump campaign’s potential collusion with Russia, which involved Trump’s conduct prior to becoming president. The investigation ended without Mueller ever bringing a charge against Trump, although the special counsel successfully prosecuted several major figures in Trump’s orbit. And Mueller’s 448-page report—a redacted version of which the Justice Department published after much ado—shows deep connections between Trump’s presidential campaign and members of the Kremlin, the Russian private sector, and Russian oligarchs.
No longer was it enough to engage in reasoned debate or open dialogue; instead, people were judged and condemned based on a 280-character statement or a screenshot taken out of context. What was once a tool for fostering connection and discussion had turned into a digital battlefield where reputations and careers could be destroyed with a single retweet. Social media had become a breeding ground for mob mentality, with users joining in on the witch hunt without fully understanding the circumstances or taking the time to gather all the facts. Even those who were initially championed by cancel culture found themselves under scrutiny as social media warriors turned their attention to policing each other's behavior. The boundaries of what was deemed "acceptable" continued to narrow, leaving many feeling fearful and stifled. It became clear that this witch hunt was no longer about holding people accountable; instead, it was about power and control. Over time, individuals began to self-censor, afraid to voice their true thoughts for fear of becoming the next target of the online mob. As the year drew to a close, the fervor of the witch hunt did not seem to wane. Instead, it seemed to intensify, leaving a wake of fear and divisiveness in its path. Society was left to grapple with the ethical implications of such widespread and often baseless condemnations, as well as the impact on freedom of speech and expression. In 2020, we had witnessed a modern-day witch hunt, one that played out on the digital stage. It revealed the dangers of a society driven by cancel culture and the need for a more thoughtful and nuanced approach to addressing problematic behavior. It is time to reevaluate the way we hold individuals accountable and ensure that the witch hunt of 2020 serves as a cautionary tale rather than a blueprint for future generations..
Reviews for "Oppression or Accountability? Debating the Witch Hunt of 2020"
1. John - 1 star
I found "Witness the witch hunt unfolding in 2020" to be a complete waste of time. The title itself is misleading and does not accurately portray the content of the book. Instead of providing a well-researched and thought-provoking analysis of the events of 2020, the book simply regurgitates conspiracy theories and baseless accusations. The author seems more interested in pushing their own agenda rather than presenting any factual information. Overall, I was highly disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to anyone.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Witness the witch hunt unfolding in 2020," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The book lacks depth and fails to provide a comprehensive understanding of the events it claims to analyze. The author's writing style is overly dramatic and lacks objectivity, leaving the reader feeling skeptical of the information presented. Furthermore, the book fails to provide any credible sources or evidence to support its claims, making it difficult to take it seriously. While it touches on some important issues, it ultimately fails to deliver a convincing argument or provide any valuable insights. I would not recommend wasting your time on this book.
3. Michelle - 1 star
"Witness the witch hunt unfolding in 2020" is nothing more than a poorly-written piece of propaganda. The author's biased perspective is evident throughout the entire book, making it difficult to trust the accuracy of the information presented. Instead of offering a balanced analysis, the author cherry-picks facts to support their predetermined narrative. The lack of credible sources and evidence further diminishes the book's credibility. If you're looking for an objective and well-researched analysis of the events of 2020, I would recommend avoiding this book at all costs.
4. Robert - 2 stars
I was extremely disappointed with "Witness the witch hunt unfolding in 2020." The book promised to shed light on the events of 2020, but it instead offered a subjective and biased account. The author seems to focus solely on promoting their own opinions and conspiracy theories rather than providing a balanced analysis. The book lacks any substantial evidence or credible sources, leaving the reader to question the validity of the information presented. Overall, I found this book to be a shallow and unconvincing attempt to push a particular agenda. Not recommended.