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Perils of indifference elie wiesel
Indifference to human sufferings
Reflection about the meaning of life
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The world is full of pain and suffering because it allows human to experience the meaning of life. Suffering is essential for the purpose of providing the means by which human continually grow and transform to proceed through their lives. Human suffering can be described as an experience of physical or mental pain from a sense of loss or a general feeling of powerlessness. When confronted with suffering in today’s society, human tend to ignore and respond with indifference in order to avoid a guilty conscience which results in the development of a greater suffering through pain, poverty, and oppression of human rights. People live in a world where there are tremendous times of happiness and joy but also of sadness and pain. There are much …show more content…
According to the article “Why is the World Blind to the Fresh Threat of Genocide in Darfur?” Ahmed Adam criticize the lack of response and silence to the genocide in Darfur “It is shameful for the international community that Darfur is watching a new and horrific phases of this 12-year genocide unfold with complete silence.” ( )) Despite the horrific massacre on civilian populations, the international community has failed miserably to protect innocent people and to expose to the violation of humanitarian law in Darfur. The crisis of governance in Darfur and the decision of UN resolution not intervene in the region of Darfur have had a horrendous impact on the Sudanese and anyone who concerned about the problem of ethnic-cleansing in developing countries. American today tend to believe that indifference is not merely a sin but a punishment. When stricken with grief and torture, people immediately question God's existence and ask how He can allow human creatures to suffer. Millions mourned for the death of their loved ones while hopelessly feeling that to be abandoned by God was worse than to be punished by Him. The Holocaust survivor and Human Rights activist, Elie Wiesel, in his speech “The Perils of Indifference” as part of the Millennium Lecture series, praises for those who have taken the actions to fight injustice and conveys that indifference toward the suffering of humanity is more dangerous than anger or hatred. Wiesel’s purpose is to analyze different approaches to questions of “What is indifference? What are its courses and inescapable consequences”, from the perspective of the victim, in order to give deeper understanding into the concept of indifference and how it affects the world today. Wiesel adopts a critical tone to illustrate emotional connection to the painful memories so that the world leaders and anyone who concerned about the
He says, “These failures have cast a dark shadow over humanity: two World Wars, countless civil wars, the senseless chain of assassinations,... so much violence; so much indifference.” (4). Indifference is shown by not only the people involved in these violent events, but also Wiesel’s audience as well, many clueless of these events. For one to fail to know and understand these events in order to stop and bring awareness to them is just as wrong as committing the event in the first place, according to Wiesel. One must also believe the event itself to escape the corruptive qualities of indifference. During the Holocaust, many did not believe what was happening and chose to then ignore it rather than do anything about it. The unaware audience and people in the 1940s thoroughly proves the corrosiveness of
Speeches are given for a purpose. Whether it is for persuasion, or education, or even entertainment, they all target certain parts of people’s minds. This speech, The Perils of Indifference, was given by Elie Wiesel with intention to persuade his audience that indifference is the downfall of humanity, and also to educate his audience about his conclusions about the Holocaust and the corresponding events. He was very successful in achieving those goals. Not only was the audience enlightened, but also President Bill Clinton, and the First Lady, Hillary Clinton, themselves were deeply touched by Wiesel’s words.
In the eyes of Elie Wiesel, author of Night, indifference whether it be in relationship abuse or another problem, is mentally damaging and needs to be eliminated. In his memoir, Night, Elie Wiesel illustrates how indifference can harm the mind of the victim when he says, “Never shall I forget the nocturnal silence that deprived me for all eternity of the desire to live,” (Night 34). In this, Wiesel is speaking of his first night in Auschwitz. When he mentions silence he is referring to the indifference that the Jews in concentration camps faced from the rest of the world. Wiesel refers to that night as the time he lost his desire to live because he saw so much indifference toward the suffering of the inmates and the horrific things that were happening to them. After this, his desire to stay alive was destroyed because he watched as the world stood by, indifferent to the senseless murder of millions. Throught this, Wiesel illustrates that indifference will impact people for the rest of their lives. Because indifference
On 12 April 1999, Elie Wiesel gave a provocative and thought provoking speech, The Perils of Indifference, at the Millennium Lecture series that were held at the White House in Washington D.C. The goal of Wiesel’s speech was to open the audience’s eyes to the harmful effects of indifference to a suffering population, as well as to contemplate how not to let those types of atrocities happen in the new millennium. Wiesel’s dramatic account as a holocaust survivor aides in the success of his speech about indifference. “He was finally free, but there was no joy in his heart” (Wiesel, 1999). By utilizing Aristotle’s three appeals, Ethos, Logos, and Pathos, Wiesel created a successful argument against the dangers of indifference.
contributed to helping this Genocide as well. This is because the U.S. was the first to tell the world that what was happening in Darfur was a genocide. On September 9, 2004, the United States secretary of State Colin Powell announced the genocide (World Without Genocide). The was the day when many came to know about the harsh reality that people in Darfur have to face. The bystanders of this genocide would notice how horrible the genocide is, but may not do much about it. There will be some that will but many will just ignore it probably. Since nothing bad is happening to themselves then they aren’t worrying
Indifference is seductive, inhumane, and the line between good and evil. Indifference is helping the enemy, it is death. Writer and Holocaust Survivor, Wiesel Elie in his speech, “The Perils of Indifference”, argues that being indifferent to those who are suffering assists the enemy. He supports his claim by first defining and describing indifference as “seductive”, “tempting”, and “easier.” Wiesel goes on to illustrate the dangers of indifference by using personal experience and historical events as examples. Finally, the author creates awareness of indifference from the past, present, and future. Wiesel’s purpose is to describe why indifference is inhumane in order to persuade people not to be indifferent. He establishes a serious tone, critical, and somber tone for Politicians, Ambassadors, Mr. President, and members of congress.
Elie Wiesel’s “The Perils of Indifference” speech, discusses a point on how oppressed people should be considered as human beings and not just as outcasts in the world. Wiesel applies the pathos appeal, ethos appeal and logos appeal in his speech to prove to the audience that indifference is a problem not only in America but the whole world. He wanted people to change in a way for others to feel good about themselves. Each of the different types of appeals gives a reason to why he believes things have to change. Along with the appeals, Wiesel utilizes fallacies in his speech, such as the many use of an overly sentimental appeals and either or choices.
Life is a valued concept, as are the people and experiences associated with it. However, when one is pushed to the limit of human capacity, they can lose familiarity with the value of their own life. Genocide-- the mass slaughter of a group of people based on their identity-- can have severe effects on the victimized people in a plethora of ways. One can not possibly quantify the grotesque, inhumane treatment witnessed in many genocides. Simultaneously, many victims are vulnerable to their identities being left behind and only their will to survive being left intact. Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor, recounts his experiences being at the hands of a brutal, systematic killing regime in his award-winning memoir, Night. Wiesel
As seen from “Armed & Underage” by Jeffrey Gettleman, “...200,000 children worldwide are still being used as combatants, usually against their will. And it isn't just boys: Girls are often pressed into duty as cooks or messengers. Many are subjected to sexual abuse, including rape.” As revealed, the children involved in this injustice, are ordinarily being forced to be mistreated. This supports the claim that when groups come together they can help those involved, as with the help of public backlash on this issue, they can help the children involved get out of these situations. Accordingly from “The Charge: Genocide” By Lydia Polgreen, “...Sudan's President, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, could face arrest on charges of genocide—the systematic destruction of a racial or cultural group—as well as war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur: In July, the prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (I.C.C.), based in The Hague, the Netherlands, formally requested an arrest warrant for Bashir.” As conveyed, a prosecutor from the I.C.C has requested an arrest warrant for Bashir, consequently he committed against humanity. This aids in supporting the claim that when groups come together they can help those involved seeing that the I.C.C has come together to go against the injustices committed by Bashir, which would help stop the injustices to help the many people involved in these atrocities. Likewise from Polgreen´s text, “The I.C.C. prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo of Argentina, charges that Bashir has "masterminded and implemented" a plan to destroy the people of Darfur. "´Al-Bashir organized the destitution, insecurity, and harassment of the survivors," he contends. "He did not need bullets. He used other weapons: rapes, hunger, and fear.´" As exhibited, Luis Moreno-Ocampo from the I.C.C has stood up in order to stop the injustices that Bashir has committed against the people of Darfur.
Many people wonder how could horrible things be aloud to happen. When people simply do not care, what can be the result? Indifference is the defining word that describes people who have a lack of interest, concern, or even sympathy. In Elie Wiesel’s “Perils of Indifference” speech, he is conveying that indifference is worse than “hate” or “anger” (Wiesel 311). In 1999, Wiesel presented a very strong emotionally spoken speech to President Clinton, other members of Congress, friends, and other officials from around the world in an attempt to connect to the audience’s emotions and to help people understand more about indifference. He delivered this speech to inspire the American people to take action in times of human suffering and violence
Action is the only remedy to indifference, the most insidious danger of all.” Elie Wiesel asserts that the world community is responsible to interfere when acts such as mass murder or genocide occur. He says that “silence encourages the tormentor” and “indifference is the most insidious danger of all”. One must speak out against oppression so there can be a difference. When one remains silent and doesn’t act, they are encouraging the person responsible for the genocide, not the victim.
To the people in the concentration camps, apathy is a “harsher punishment” (Wiesel) than anger or rage, because anger has feelings in it, while indifference just makes a suffering person feel even smaller and more insignificant. Indifference in humans potentially goes against religion, because it blurs the lines between “light and darkness” (Wiesel). Throughout his speech at the Millennium Lectures, Elie Wiesel both enlightens on the consequences of apathy towards those who need help, and inspires hope for a better future.
Oppression is the systematic method of prolonged cruelty and unjust treatment, often intended for those who are deemed “different” by a hierarchical society. It’s a basis that can be found in the plot of a fictional movie or novel, but most importantly, it’s an aspect of both past and modern life that has affected multiple nations. Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor, is a humanitarian who embodies the personal experiences of what being oppressed feels like – how it itches at one’s skin like the hatred and stares directed at them. The reason he is so important is because of his stories; what he has seen. The insight and intelligence he has brought forth further educates those who had previously accepted the world with their eyes closed.
Bressman, Eric (2006). Fighting Indifference: Looking at World Responses to the Holocaust with Elie Wiesel. Columbia University.
Suffering can be defined as an experience of discomfort suffered by a person during his life. The New York Times published an article entitled what suffering does, by David Brooks (2014). In this article, Brooks explains how suffering plays an important role in our pursuit of happiness. He explains firstly that happiness is found through experiences and then, suffering can also be a motivation in our pursuit of happiness. In other words, suffering is a fearful but necessary gift to acquire happiness. This paper is related to motivation and emotion, two keys words to the pursuit of happiness (King, 2010).