Secrets of the dead, outsiders

 

I recently watched a PBS documentary "The Grave of a woman Buried as a Vampire | Secrets of the dead-PBS" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sNkgsG3qPU)

And it was fascinated because it just shows how stupid people really are. They are ignorant, fearful, messy, and horrible. It shows how people in a position of power (church, government) can also abuse that power. 

Spoilers are following 

In the case of the woman, it turns out she was not from the area. she had a genetic issue that probably gave her a RED growth on her bosum and she may have had other problems or particularities. 

Because of her differences, it is believed she led a hard life because she was different, she was likely ostracized for being different. AND it is believed this was ultimately used against her to declare her 'Evil' and a vampire! 

The culture at the time was heavily Misogynistic which didn't help her (being female). Because physically she was different she was Ostracized, and based on historical texts and records and forensic evidence it was found that religion and the sowing of fear likely played a role in her hard life.

So why am I sharing this?

First it was an excellent documentary so worth watching in that regard. Second it shows how political and religious forces can single out a person or a group and declare them bad. Even though they aren't.  

In the case of the woman she was declared a Vampire, and the items found in her grave suggest the local population went to great lengths to make sure she didn't rise from the dead and or spread vampirism to other bodies in the cemetery.

This historical discovery illustrates how, myths, fears,  a lack of knowledge of the world, 1/2 truths, and  flat out lies can lead a population to terrible things. 

Ultimately this documentary is a cautionary tale. It tells us that if we don't see the humanity in people, then people become a thing to be abused, used, discarded. horrible stuff.