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Ghosts are People Too

Show some respect

By Alesia BrooksPublished 3 years ago 5 min read
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Ghosts are People Too
Photo by DDP on Unsplash

Some of the most haunted places in the world became that way because of tragedy. Whether it was a single event or years of abuse and misfortune, the dead that reside in these locations usually faced an untimely and devastating demise. This is why commonly haunted locations usually consist of hospitals, prisons, battlegrounds and cemeteries. People that face these unfortunate ends tend to take their ill feelings with them to the grave, leading to unrest and torment in their afterlife.

All that to say, the current attitude towards haunted locations and the spirits that reside there has suffered a massive shift in recent years. There was a strong stigma towards hauntings and spirits throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. They were commonly looked down upon, thought of as devilish or demonic in all ways, rarely, if ever, allowed to continue in a home. Blessings and cleansings were the most common ways to rid a home of spiritual inhabitations. Recent attitudes have drastically changed. The shift occurred mostly in the 1970’s and beyond, given the rise of the horror and supernatural genres in pop culture. Rituals such as exorcisms became increasingly requested and claims of demonic possessions flooded catholic churches. The Vatican was forced to revisit exorcism requirements and guidelines in 1999 due to this increase. Hasbro gaming now makes a Ouija board, selling it for $19.99, the product description saying “You've got questions and the spirit world has answers - and the uncanny Ouija board is your way to get them!

So in all this commercialization and profit game of the paranormal, where do the ghosts come in? Well, this is where members of the paranormal research and parapsychology community come in. Extensive research and attempts to prove the existence of the otherworldly continue through the chaos. But the gag of most of these money-oriented schemes has put a serious dent in the progress that the field has made in recent decades. Look up almost any famous location and you’ll find advertised ghost tours and merch stores for those who participate in the events. It’s even common for haunted hotels and estates to hold parties and Halloween events, claiming to “celebrate” the dead.

With all the tragedy many spirits have suffered in life, to have to suffer in death is an excruciatingly painful experience. When ghosts inhabit a location, it generally isn’t by choice. Spirits of jail inmates, hospital patients and the mentally ill find themselves in another personal hell with the mistreatment and exploitation of the grounds where they reside. To have people laughing, walking through abandoned hallways wearing “this is my ghost hunting shirt” graphic tees feels like a mockery of the pain they suffered in their physical lives.

Dark Side of Denver Ghost Tours offers guided showings around Denver's most haunted locations.

I think it’s common for so many to get caught up in the hype and wanting to be a part of the “movement” that they forget the most important factor in legitimate paranormal investigation - ghosts are people too. And no, the present-tense isn’t a mistake, ghosts are people, they remain to be consciously alive on earth, even though their physical body no longer houses them.

In this age of belief in the paranormal, it’s nice to see people take an interest in the otherworldly, but so many forget the reason that this field exists. It didn’t begin as a money-making scheme or a way for the average Joe to experience an adrenaline rush when he hears his first EVP. It began as a way to heal brokenness, both of the alive and the dead. Following the footsteps and learning the history behind why the spirits are trapped creates an understanding and respect between realities.

This isn’t to say that an average person can’t be curious and explore the paranormal, in fact, amateurs and hobbyists are always welcomed in the field! But it is crucial to go into it with the best intentions and with the highest level of respects for those who remain outside of the physical world.

So what can you do to respectfully explore and attempt to communicate with spirits? Well, there are a few things most agree on that are a necessity in all paranormal research:

1. Know your history - don’t go off of rumors.

It’s important to know what you’re dealing with when entering an investigation. With the prevalence of the internet, your research can be as simple as a Google search. But make sure that you aren’t bringing false accusations and negativity into the space you’re investigating. Exploring rumors is important, given that most historically haunted places have their fair share of tragic stories with no factual evidence. Ultimately, if it doesn’t have evidence, don’t bring it into the location. Imagine someone coming into your home to accuse you of a crime or heinous act you didn’t commit. I’d be mad, and they could be too.

2. Avoid commercial practices.

This one can be difficult, especially for people just beginning their dive into the paranormal. But signing up for a $100 guided tour of a haunted hospital is not the way to go about things. There are networks of teams all throughout the United States (and globally) that share their investigations with the public. You’ll get a much more authentic experience, and learn a lot from seasoned paranormal professionals. Far better than a fabricated and overcrowded tour.

3. Don’t go in expecting anything.

If I were to randomly walk into a strangers house and start asking them a bunch of provocative and possibly traumatizing questions, chances are they would not want to talk to me. The same goes for the spirits that inhabit a location. It’s only fair to give them the space and respect that you would like to be treated with. Some spirits will be eager to talk and share their stories, others, not so much. Don’t expect anything out of them. Showing kindness and consideration goes a long way with the living, and will do the same with the dead.

Ultimately, the commercialization of the paranormal has led to some terrible practices being implemented on already traumatized spirits. Ghosts are people too. They feel things, and currently there are some that feel broken and exploited by the physical world to a point that is truly tragic. While they aren’t always visible, they are present. Giving them the kindness and respect they deserve is a big step in mending the currently broken relationship with the otherworldly.

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About the Creator

Alesia Brooks

Disney blogger with a dark side

24-year-old writer and photographer

Follow along with my misadventures - IG: @livinglikealesia

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