O Jim Jonestown Massacre In The 1970's

The 70s, an era packed with a myriad of events and occurrences, are a time of reminiscing for those who experienced it. Those who experienced it often regurgitate their memories to the next generation. These memories tend to be resounding, and the younger generation also learns about the past through other sources and mediums like the Internet, television, and more. However, some of the most important events, the shadows which America wishes to conceal, often fail to reach the awareness of the younger generation. Perhaps the most important forgotten event in American history during the 1970s is the cult of Jonestown and the massacre which ended it. The initial occurrence of the events sent shivers down the spines of every conscious American citizen.

These members yearned for bliss and happiness, but instead found themselves in terrible conditions. These members primarily concerned themselves with humanitarian efforts in the Peoples Temple’s communities. Hypocritically, Jim Jones treated his worshippers abusively. Jim Jones used a technique called self-incrimination to punish members of the cult. Jones taught followers to give him “written statements about their fears and mistakes and then, if they disobeyed him, he used that information to humiliate them or subject them to their worst fears during public meetings.” Along with this humiliation, Jim Jones would make sure members of the cult would be “beaten, and blackmailed, and many were coerced or brainwashed into signing over their possessions—including their homes—to the church.” A survivor, who goes by Melody, recounted moments of multiple members following Jim Jones in these public punishments against each disobeyer. She was pressured into taking part of the inhumanities and injustices led by Jim Jones. As the Peoples Temple grew larger, and as did its reputation of abuse, the government became curious in the activities of the People’s