The way we view witches in modern times has changed from the original prejudices of the European trials and the North American hunts.
The persecution of witches in the late 1400s, or early 1500s, was unique for the time as the persecution was to see witches as social pariahs with some power. Their oppression was evident at trials, accusatory claims, social gatherings, and even their punishments caused quite a stir (T.H. E.). It was also a gendered prejudice, as most of the witches were women. The likelihood of being a female witch increased in accordance with their outspoken nature.
The persecution of witches in the late 1400s, or early 1500s, was unique for the time as the persecution was to see witches as social pariahs with some power. Their oppression was evident at trials, accusatory claims, social gatherings, and even their punishments caused quite a stir (T.H. E.). It was also a gendered prejudice, as most of the witches were women. The likelihood of being a female witch increased in accordance with their outspoken nature.
In recent times, modern wiccans have been portrayed as lesbians, liberal feminists who refuse to conform to societal norms. The most notorious example of this would be of Willow in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, along with the other witches she with whom she associated. Another misconception that is popular today is that witchcraft is synonymous with Satanism. As it stands, this is not true. The style of oppression has certainly changed with the times, there hasn’t been any witch hunts in North America that have been mandated by the church, however wiccans continue to hide their beliefs from the general population. There still is a long way to go to prove their place in society.
Here is another popular portrayal of witches by modern media. This movie is called Hocus Pocus, and the scene depicts the three witch sisters as ugly hags who steal the youth and beauty from little girls. They turn a boy trying to save his sister into a cat.