Aly Kassam

An old woman standing over a smouldering cauldron is what most of us associate with the concept of witchcraft today. Thanks to mainstream media, including films, television and books, ancient practices of witchcraft have been turned into a cultural mockery.

Traditional forms of witchcraft, currently present in mostly African and Caribbean countries, have been commercialized and stereotyped by popular characters like Maleficent in Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty, the three witches of Hocus Pocus and others.

"When I think witchcraft, I think of a green-faced, broom-carrying, wart-nose cackling woman that's up to no good. A `medicine man' or a healer from Africa or any other country does not come to mind, even though this may very well be the origin of witchcraft," says Eden Zeweldi, an 18-year old Disney Store employee.

However, to some extent, novels like the Harry Potter series and television shows like Sabrina the Teenage Witch have worked to counter the traditional stereotypes, by portraying witches as normal human beings with abnormal powers.

Still, it seems that traditional stereotypes prevail. Within an instant of hearing the word, our minds tend to conjure up negative images rather than present the many positive motives of witchcraft such as healing and well-being. Fellow employee and sister Samra Zeweldi says "for most that practise it, witchcraft is more of a cultural lifestyle. However, those who are unfamiliar with these practises attach negative connotations encouraged by mainstream media. The media takes this opportunity to create exaggerated characters that are a false representation of what witchcraft really is."

This is yet another example of North American stereotyping practices that we may not identify with. Witchcraft is a force of power that can be used toward good or evil. Unfortunately, North American media seems to promote only the negative aspects.

Source: thestar.com

Actually when I was very little, I thought witches looked more like the one you see in Snow White.

Yes the media is good for portraying things in a negative light, but it isn't the only one unfortunately. I don't like using this as an example because I love the cartoon, but Scooby-Doo had a Witch Doctor in it that would chase Shaggy and Scooby around. From this you can also get the idea that Witch Doctors and Medicine Men are evil and crazy.

You mean you're not a goodie two shoes.  Hump.  There goes the neighborhood.