...Wiesel’s critique of indifference illustrates how it enables injustice to persist. By remaining indifferent, society tacitly condones atrocities, allowing them to continue and worsen. Wiesel’s reflections on the Holocaust reveal how indifference dehumanizes both the victim and the perpetrator, creating a cycle of detachment, disconnecting people from the morality of the situation (Wiesel, 1999). Apathy towards political issues can be a rational response to a complex and overwhelming political landscape, enabling individuals to focus on their immediate responsibilities and personal well-being. "The Apathy Syndrome" demonstrates how political indifference allows injustices to persist. The article highlights that political disengagement, fueled by apathy, leads to a lack of advocacy for change, perpetuating social and economic disparities. This disengagement undermines efforts to address systemic inequalities, thereby allowing injustices to remain unchallenged (Manning & Edwards, 2020). Some may argue that while political apathy might seem rational, it ultimately undermines democratic values and perpetuates social...
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...The Quiet Horrible Inaction The recent footage of poison gas blowing off, wire fence standing pitiless and women weeping over the parting with their children increasingly appear in the film. The description sounds like a story, but this footage comes from the Auschwitz concentration camp in 1940. In Auschwitz concentration camp, the Nazi cruelly oppressed the Jews; however, no one took the responsibilities years later even after the war came to an end. In the film, Night and Fog, the indifferent attitude and irresponsible language of various people who worked at the Auschwitz concentration camp were incredibly shocking. The lower ranking soldiers used “following orders” as a way to divert personal responsibility and to justify their sins....
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...International Foreign Policy Nineteen forty-five was thought to be a turning point as the Second World War came to a close. In addition, over fifty-one countries committed themselves to maintaining international peace across the globe, all with the hope of preventing future genocide. Almost forty-seven years after taking this pledge, the world turned their backs on the country of Rwanda, while Hutu extremists slaughtered almost a million Tutsis. George and Keir Pearson wrote the movie Hotel Rwanda to help expose the injustices felt by the people of Rwanda during this time. It is through the use of Colonel Oliver’s role within the movie that the lack of humanitarian intervention in the Rwandan genocide is shown. His actions as a liaison officer for the UN, as well as his unbiased views, make Colonel Oliver the perfect character to unearth the reasons behind the international community’s inaction towards the Rwandan massacre. Early on in the movie, it is noted that Canadian officer Colonel Oliver is acting on behalf of the wishes of the United Nations. This is initially appreciated in a scene with a journalist. In response to her inquiry as to whether or not the UN planned on stopping the Rwandan bloodshed, the Colonel replied, “We're here as peacekeepers, not as peacemakers. My orders are not to intervene”. This statement shows the United Nations resistance to the use of firearms shortly after the massacre in Somalia took place. The failure of the UN seen in Somalia was accounted...
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...young black girl’s struggle to come to terms with the role that economic injustice, and the larger social injustice that it constitutes, plays in her life. Sylvia, the story’s protagonist, initially is reluctant to acknowledge that she is a victim of poverty. Far from being oblivious of the disparity between the rich and the poor, however, one might say that on some subconscious level, she is in fact aware of the inequity that permeates society and which contributes to her inexorably disadvantaged economic situation. That she relates poverty to shame—"But I feel funny, shame. But what I got to be shamed about? Got as much right to go in as anybody" (Bambara 604)—offers an indication as to why she is so hard-pressed to concede her substandard socioeconomic standing in the larger scheme of things. Sylvia is forced to finally address the true state of her place in society, however, when she observes firsthand the stark contrast between the rich and the poor at a fancy toy store in Manhattan. Initially furious about the blinding disparity, her emotionally charged reaction ultimately culminates in her acceptance of the real state of things, and this acceptance in turn cultivates her resolve to take action against the socioeconomic inequality that verily afflicts her, ensuring that "ain’t nobody gonna beat me at nuthin" (606). "The Lesson" posits that far from being insurmountable, economic and social injustice can be risen above, but it is necessary that we first acknowledge the role...
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...Coetzee’s Waiting for the Barbarians This past summer, I had occasion to find myself in a number of airport terminals in various cities around the world. The scenes and memories of each mostly blend together in a mill of nondescript faces, foreign tongues, and ambling bodies. Much of the time I spent waiting, clutching a coach ticket, could be likened to an animated state of sleep. I was there to function, to shuffle into line and put my body in a seat and nothing more. I was awoken from this once in the international terminal in Milan, and it was a rather rude awakening. While sitting in one of the seemingly endless rows of black, plastic seats, I found myself six paces from a family speaking a language that I didn’t know and couldn’t identify; Eastern Europeans, perhaps. There was a small baby in the mother’s arms and the young boy, probably about the age of three or four years, was being wrangled back at the wrist by his father. For whatever reason, the boy was not happy: he screamed, he cried, he pulled his weight against his oppressor. For me, a child throwing a tantrum in an airport had become a very typical sight. And this one was no different, right up to the moment the father drew back and slapped the child hard across the face. I jerked in my seat, as if the slap had reached a further six feet and knocked me back as well. The boy became silent. I stayed silent. I was stunned and offended and angry…and I said nothing; I did nothing. My mind acted quickly...
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...Globalization and Human Rights When faced with the need to balance justice against the world's many cultures, the world seems to be torn. Do we crush injustice wherever we find it throughout the world, no matter what traditions we have to topple in order to do so? More than that, do we have an obligation to do it? Some would say of course we do, that human rights are inalienable and it is the duty of the strong to protect the weak. But can we make that call objectively, to tell someone else that our culture is right and their's is wrong? It is without a doubt a complex issue where each case is deserving of intense debate. There is, however, most certainly a middle ground that can be reached, balancing justice and cultural beliefs. To begin with, it is important to define the concept of justice. There has been much debate throughout history, but one aspect that is oft agreed upon is legal egalitarianism, or equality before the law. All people's are subject to the same law with same basic rights, and shall be treated fairly by the courts. Working with such a definition, a problem becomes clear immediately. All are treated equally and fairly by the law, but what happens when the law itself is not fair? Sharia law, for example, contains many rulings that a westerner would consider unjust. Having your hand cut off because you stole a trinket from a shop would be judged as a cruel and unnecessarily harsh punishment by western standards. Here it is apparent...
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...Hamlet realizes the errors of his ways. When he sees Fortinbras risking his life in the name of his father, Hamlet looks to himself and sees that he has been running from what he had to do this entire time. Hamlet then quickly returns to Denmark to achieve justice for his father. However, this moment in the story does not only serve as inspiration to Hamlet, but rather to show a contrast between Fortinbras and Hamlet. Fortinbras set out to take action since the very beginning of the play while Hamlet procrastinated his revenge. The very same contrast is also seen at the very end of the play. When all is said and done, Hamlet dies and Fortinbras succeeds. This has lead to a conclusion that one’s action leads to one’s victory while one’s inaction leads to one’s...
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...SAMPLE HIGH RANGE RESPONSE – RELIGION AND PEACE Below is an example of a high-range response for Religion and Peace. Note how the student has supported and clarified all assertions made with discerning use of evidence from a range of sources. As such, they have used her information to explicitly address the question at hand. When talking about inner peace, the student refers to the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus which has restored the covenantal relationship between God and humanity, sins have been forgiven, and this is what brings inner peace. The student also explicitly explored the idea that the teachings on peace are highly significant in the lives of adherents and she gives sound reasons why. The response shows, for example, that Christians are required to promote non-violence responses to conflict. She goes on to show how this call to peace has a significant impact on the decisions they are asked to make in order to adhere to that directive in their lives. Question: Evaluate the influence of Christianity in the lives of adherents in relation to their understanding and attainment of inner peace and contribution to world peace. The influence of Christianity in the lives of adherents is extensive and profound due to the religion’s emphasis on attaining peace through following the role model of Jesus Christ. Such a mandate permeates the entirety of a Christian adherent’s existence, entailing maintenance of right relationships with God and all people. Christians...
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...Social Movements in India: Meaning, Features and Other Details! A social movement is a mass movement and a collective attempt of people to bring about a change, or to resist any change. The concept central to any social movement is that people intervene in the process of social change, rather than remaining mere spectators or passive participants in the ebb and flow of life. People seek to become proactive actors in altering the course of history. In order to achieve their aim of making a difference to the world they live in, they either initiate or become a part of collective action. Individuals consciously act together with a sense of engagement in a common enterprise. Social movements possess a considerable measure of internal order and purposeful orientation. It is, in fact, this organization that strengthens the movement to challenge the established institutions. A social movement can be described more or less as a persis¬tent and organized effort on the part of a relatively large group of people to bring about or resist change. However, the number of persons participating is not the criteria for describing any movement as a collective action. The movement must have a leader to guide and execute the plan of action and possess the power to sustain the movement. Social movements, however, are different from pressure groups or institutional movements. Institutional movements are highly organized, permanent, and primarily occupation-based. Social movements are spontaneous...
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...Political Ideology I have chosen the Republican ideological position, commonly referred to as the Grand Old Party (G.O.P). The Republican Party absorbs Libertarianism, fiscal Conservatism, and concepts of Progressivism. I believe in the voice of capitalism, competition, and that the overall welfare of the people comes first before all else. Since the creation of the Republican Party in the mid nineteenth century, the G.O.P has grown to represent social conservatism. Despite misplaced stigma that Republicans do not support the interests of the common people, history has shown that their view directs more to being responsible with government expenditures and justifying government activities with more than just goodwill for all citizens. The Republican Party first gained popularity through the election of Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln, as well as the Republicans of that time, was a strong anti-slavery activist. Lincoln led the way towards the end of slavery. Republican ideology brought equality to slaves. Republican ideology has also supported the people’s rights to bear arms, which has been an issue of heavy debate that finally found victory in the McDonalds v. Chicago case. The plaintiffs in the case argued that the state of Chicago had infringed on their Second Amendment rights. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Second Amendment and its enforcement in all states. Former Republican President George Bush was a strong supporter of the NRA and Second...
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...we are going to release to the media and the public and to my fellow senators, the copies of these two affidavits, let the documents speak for itself! ” As we all know now, the Supreme Court granted the petition for bail sought by former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile who is being held for plunder charges that was featured in the affidavit of Janet Lim Napoles, which Sen. Guingona exposed to the public more than a year ago. The SC imposed a P1 million bail bond for JPE. I reckon that the two other senators incarcerated with JPE, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and Sen. Bong Revilla, the SC will soon give the same bail conditions to these two senators. I don’t know why the Department of Justice (DoJ) or should we call them the Department of Injustice is foot-dragging on these cases? Lest we forget, there are 20 senators and 100 congressmen implicated by Janet Lim Napoles and God knows why the wheels of justice have stopped turning! Last Aug. 11th, the New York Times featured a highly embarrassing article that put the Philippines on top of Asia’s most corrupt economies. This is a testimony of the total failure of Pres. Benigno Aquino III’s so-called “Daang Matuwid.” Since the New York Times is not part and parcel of the Yellow propaganda machinery of...
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...2004 and 2007, federal prosecutors declined to prosecute seventy-five percent of adult rape cases that had been transferred from Indian country (Fletcher). Even when allowed to persecute sexual and domestic violence committed against Native American women, tribal courts can impose only a one year prison sentence or a five thousand dollar fine for any crime, including rape (Fletcher). State courts typically give eight years and eight months and federal courts typically give twelve years and ten months for the crime of rape.(Amnesty International Staff 8). As stated by Amnesty International Staff in the book Maze of Injustice “Impunity for perpetrators and indifference toward survivors contribute to a climate where sexual violence is seen as normal and inescapable rather than criminal, and where women do not seek justice because they know they will be met with inaction” (Amnesty International Staff 9) Native American women also suffer greatly because of the lack of funding and protocols that health service and law enforcement in Native American communities have. In some areas the Indian Health Service (IHS) is the only healthcare provider for Native Americans and in most areas it is the primary health care provider for Native Americans. However, many IHS facilities do not have well defined protocol for caring for women who have been victims of sexual violence. These facilities also may not always give victims a forensic sexual assault kit. To handle sexual violence efficiently these...
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...GOD’S PLAN FOR SUFFERING A PAPER PRESENTED TO IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR BY GOD’S PLAN FOR SUFFERING The Desire for Answers When exploring the major hurdles of the Christian faith, Lee Strobel appointed George Barna to create a survey that inquired of respondents a single question they would ask God if they were guaranteed to receive a response. The leading question asked by those surveyed was, without surprise, “Why is there suffering and pain in our world?” The occurrence of evil – demonstrated through suffering, pain, moral wickedness, and other similar things– signifies a challenging subject for anyone desiring to defend the existence of a true God. For non-believers, suffering and evil present an intimidating blockade to ever recognizing the reality of a God whom is both all-good and all-powerful. This is what William Lane Craig states as being “atheism’s killer argument” . For Christians, the issue of pain and evil has great prospective ability to upset the faith of the most proven saint, particularly when pain lands directly on them or their loved ones. How can a God who declares to be the epitome of love, all-good, and all-powerful allow pain and suffering to, ostensibly, have such power on this earth and affect those who seem innocent or those He calls His children? This issue, for the believer, becomes one of not if a God exists, but what type of God exists. While it is uncertain that an easy answer will ever be found that fulfill...
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...Ethics and affirmative action: Is affirmative action still an ethical policy. Dennis Wagner Concordia University May 2011 Ethics and Affirmative Action Since its inception 50 years ago, affirmative action has been a topic that more divides people than unites them. Affirmative action was originally conceived as a way to right the injustices that had been foisted upon minorities for over 200 years. What started as a simple idea is still debated and litigated to this day. The main problem of affirmative action is there is no way to advance one group of people without holding another group back. Affirmative action was once a policy that was necessary to advance diversity in education and employment; however, the practice of race and gender quotas is no longer an ethical choice. This paper will examine the past, present and future of affirmative action and offer recommendations for balancing ethics with affirmative action. Past The first use of the term “affirmative action” was in Executive Order 10925 (Executive Order 10925, 1961). President Kennedy signed this executive order on March 6, 1961, and the order provided that the federal government and contractors should take affirmative action to ensure that hiring for all federally funded projects is conducted without racial bias (Executive Order 10925, 1961). This executive order also started the Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity (Executive Order 10925, 1961). This order was mainly a passive means to prevent...
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...How to bring down a dictator By Abebe Gellaw | May 29, 2012 Editor's Note - The following paper by Abebe Gellaw was first published in March 2011. Given its timelessness, the paper is being published for the second time. “Freedom is not free; you have to pay for it.” Anonymous In May 2005, over 2 million Ethiopians came out in full force to demand change Imagine the power all these people wield collectively when they decide to act together for radical change, dignity and freedom Nonviolent struggle is a smart option for Ethiopians to end tyranny As ordinary Egyptians have erupted in jubilant euphoria at Tahrir Square and on the streets of Egypt after the fall of the three-decade long dictator Hosni Mubarak, Ethiopians in and outside of the country have been keenly watching the wind of change from North Africa. We have witnessed history unfolding once again. When people are determined to be free, nothing can stop them. After an epic struggle against him, Mubarak had no choice but to surrender. The world is a better place with the fall of one more dictator. What a beautiful moment to celebrate and watch! The momentous events in Egypt and Tunisia are testimony to the power of nonviolent struggle. When people are united and speak in one voice, nothing can stop them. No guns and tanks have stopped the peaceful revolutions that have ended tyranny and ushered in liberation to ordinary people in many countries across the world. Ethiopians also know what revolutions are like. But...
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