Target of Witchcraft: Witchcraft has fascinated and terrified people for centuries. The idea of individuals possessing supernatural powers to cast spells, curse others, and manipulate the forces of nature is deeply ingrained in different cultures around the world. While witchcraft is often associated with women, men have also been accused and persecuted as witches throughout history. In many societies, witches have been seen as a threat and have become targets for various reasons. One of the most common reasons witches are targeted is a perceived threat to religious or spiritual beliefs. In societies deeply rooted in a specific religion, individuals practicing witchcraft are often seen as challenging or contradicting established beliefs and practices.
In societies deeply rooted in a specific religion, individuals practicing witchcraft are often seen as challenging or contradicting established beliefs and practices. This perceived threat to religious authority can lead to witch hunts, trials, and persecution. Another reason for targeting witches is the fear of their supposed powers.
Target quietly moves Pride merchandise in some stores as conservative activists declare victory
Target came under intense scrutiny this week after the retail giant announced that it was pulling some LGBTQ-themed merchandise following what a corporate spokesperson described as “threats impacting our team members’ sense of safety and wellbeing while at work.”
Target customers posted videos on TikTok showing that Pride merchandise displays had been moved to less visible locations, including the back of the store.
“So disappointed in @target right now,” one TikTok user wrote in a caption to a video apparently recorded at a Target location in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. “You literally hid your LGBTQ ‘support’ so as to not offend hateful small minded people. Dont seem too concerned about offending your own employees and loyal customers though.”
Target’s corporate communications department did not immediately respond to an email containing a list of questions, including which Pride items were removed and the nature of the threats against employees.
In a statement Tuesday night, a spokesperson for Target said the company has “offered an assortment of products aimed at celebrating Pride Month” for more than a decade. But “since introducing this year’s collection, we’ve experienced threats impacting our team members’ sense of safety and wellbeing while at work.
Pride month merchandise at the front of a Target store in Hackensack, N.J., on May 24, 2023. Seth Wenig / AP file
“Given these volatile circumstances,” the spokesperson said, “we are making adjustments to our plans, including removing items that have been at the center of the most significant confrontational behavior. Our focus now is on moving forward with our continuing commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community and standing with them as we celebrate Pride Month and throughout the year.”
The company did not immediately reply to a question about how the corporate decision might be perceived by members of the LGBTQ community.
In some stores in the South, Pride displays appeared to have been moved to less visible areas.
At a Target in Cary, North Carolina, two employees who did not want to provide their names said the Pride collection was featured at the front of the store as recently as last week. The display is now further back, in the women's clothing section, and women's swimwear has been placed near the front. One employee said management told them to "switch things around" but they were not given a reason why.
One TikTok user claimed that Target in Cypress, Texas, moved its Pride collection to the back of the store after a customer complained to upper management.
In a phone interview, the manager of the Cypress, Texas, store referred NBC News to the corporate offices, but said moving the Pride collection to the back was a “total company decision” that had “nothing to do with the store.”
The pullback did not seem to affect every store. Brian Sing, a senior merchandise planner at a Target location in Brooklyn, New York said the store’s large Pride display went up about two weeks ago and employees have not received any directions to take it down.
Target’s large selection of Pride merchandise also comes amid an unprecedented time for LGBTQ rights in America. A historic 480 anti-LGBTQ bills have been filed in state legislatures across the country this year, according to the American Civil Liberties Union, with lawmakers enacting laws to curtail education on LGBTQ issues in schools, drag performances and transition-related healthcare, among other provisions.
In a tweet Wednesday morning, the right-wing personality Matt Walsh wrote that his “goal” was to “make ‘pride’ toxic” for brands.
“If they decide to shove this garbage in our face, they should know that they’ll pay a price,” he wrote. “It won’t be worth whatever they think they’ll gain.”
Walsh alluded to the firestorm around Bud Light after the beer brand partnered with transgender social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney this spring. Bud Light sales have dropped following an online campaign and calls for boycotts.
“First Bud Light and now Target,” Walsh tweeted. “Our campaign is making progress. Let’s keep it going.”
Other conservative activists all but declared victory, too. In a tweet, the self-described "anti-woke" activist Rogan O'Handley celebrated Bud Light's drop in company value and Target stock dropping on Wednesday. "THIS IS WHAT WINNING LOOKS LIKE," he tweeted.
Target hired LGBTQ designers for its Pride collection last year, saying it wanted to “authentically celebrate the community,” according to a company news release. The brand continued its partnership with queer designers for its collection this year.
Conservative activists have taken particular issue with the collection’s apparel for kids, and a “tuck-friendly” bathing suit for adults. Clothing items for children include supportive slogans, including “just be you” and “trans people will always exist!”
British designer Erik Carnell, one of the Pride collection’s LGBTQ collaborators had his products pulled from the company’s website within the last handful of days. He called the retailer’s decision to remove his products — which included apparel containing supportive messages, such as “cure transphobia, not trans people” and “we belong everywhere” — both “wrong” and “justified.”
“It’s difficult because on one hand I’m obviously completely against it. I think that they should stand by their principles. If you’re going to have a Pride range centered around and created by LGBTQ people, then … you need to stick that out,” he said. “However, if I were working as a retail employee at a Target store, in an open carry state, I wouldn’t feel safe. So, I do understand their thought process on pulling some of the items. Justified or not, the safety of their employees has to be paramount.”
Carnell’s partnership with Target has been scrutinized by opponents of the company’s Pride collection largely for his use of Satanic symbolism in some of his designs. None of Carnell’s products that were sold at Target contain Satanic imagery. However, that hasn’t stopped the “hundreds upon hundreds” of threatening emails he says he’s received in recent days.
Pride month merchandise at the front of a Target store in Hackensack, N.J., on Wednesday. Seth Wenig / AP
“I was overwhelmed by what a big opportunity this could be — the amount of people who would see my work who never otherwise would have been exposed to it, the people who are closeted that needed to see something positive when they’re walking in a retail store,” said Carnell. “And in the space of a handful of days, all of that has been completely taken away from me and I’m just left to deal with the death threats and to deal with the hate mail and to deal with the accusations of grooming with absolutely no support from Target.”
In a statement on Wednesday, the LGBTQ rights organization GLAAD said “anti-LGBTQ violence and hate” would persist “until corporate leaders step up as heroes for their LGBTQ employees and consumers and do not cave to fringe activists calling for censorship.”
“The fact that a small group of extremists are threatening disgusting and harsh violence in response to Target continuing its long-standing tradition of offering products for everyone should be a wake-up call for consumers and is a reminder that LGBTQ people, venues, and events are being attacked with threats and violence like never before,” GLAAD president and CEO executive Sarah Kate Ellis said.
David Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition, said Target’s actions reflects a “superficial” commitment to its allyship with the LGBTQ community by “signaling that they care more about harrowing to hate mongers than they do standing with communities who need support,” he said.
Daniel Arkin is a national reporter at NBC News.
The company did not immediately reply to a question about how the corporate decision might be perceived by members of the LGBTQ community.
Many people believe that witches have the ability to harm others through curses or spells. This fear can arise from a lack of understanding or knowledge about witchcraft practices. The power attributed to witches often leads to scapegoating, where they are blamed for various misfortunes or disasters that occur within a community. This scapegoating can provide a sense of relief or closure for people seeking an explanation for unfortunate events. Jealousy and envy are also contributing factors in targeting witches. Witches are sometimes believed to have the ability to manipulate or control individuals or situations to their advantage. This can lead to resentment and rivalry, especially if a person feels that a witch has used their powers to gain power, wealth, or influence. Witches may also be targeted out of personal vendettas or to settle personal conflicts. Furthermore, social and gender dynamics play a role in the targeting of witches. Historically, women have been especially vulnerable to accusations of witchcraft. Women who did not conform to societal expectations, such as the obedient wife or the submissive daughter, could be labeled as witches. Additionally, women with knowledge of medicinal plants, midwifery, or other forms of alternative healing were often accused of witchcraft as a way to undermine their authority or as a result of patriarchal power dynamics. In conclusion, the target of witchcraft is often determined by a combination of factors such as religious beliefs, fear of their supposed powers, jealousy and envy, personal conflicts, and societal and gender dynamics. Understanding these factors is crucial in comprehending why certain individuals are singled out and persecuted as witches throughout history. It is also a reminder of the importance of tolerance, empathy, and critical thinking in our interactions with those who may be labeled as witches or possess different beliefs and practices..
Reviews for "The Art of Sigil Magic in Target Frof Witxhcraft"
1. John - 2 stars - "I was really excited to read 'Target From Witch' as the synopsis promised an intriguing mystery. However, I was sorely disappointed. The plot felt disjointed and poorly developed, with characters that lacked depth. The pacing was uneven, making it difficult to stay engaged in the story. Overall, I found 'Target From Witch' to be a lackluster read that didn't live up to its potential."
2. Sarah - 1 star - "I honestly don't understand all the hype around 'Target From Witch'. The writing style was choppy and riddled with grammatical errors, which made it difficult to follow the story. The protagonist was unlikable and their decisions seemed irrational and poorly motivated. The dialogue was forced and unnatural, making it hard to connect with any of the characters. I was extremely disappointed by this book and would not recommend it to anyone."
3. Michael - 2 stars - "I had high hopes for 'Target From Witch' as I am a fan of supernatural thrillers. However, the execution in this book fell flat. The plot was predictable and lacked originality, following cliches that have been done in countless other books. The pacing was slow, dragging on unnecessarily with repetitive scenes. The writing was also mediocre, failing to build tension or create a compelling atmosphere. Unfortunately, I found 'Target From Witch' to be a forgettable read."
4. Emily - 2.5 stars - "I had mixed feelings about 'Target From Witch'. While the concept was interesting, the execution left much to be desired. The story was confusing at times, with vague descriptions and inconsistent world-building. The characters felt one-dimensional and their relationships lacked depth. Additionally, the ending felt rushed and unresolved, leaving several loose ends. Overall, this book had potential, but failed to deliver a satisfying reading experience."