The Perils Of Indifference Summary

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.

The general argument made by author Wiesel in his speech, “The Perils of Indifference, is that indifference is dangerous. More specifically, Wiesel argues that indifference to those suffering is inhumane. He writes, “Better an unjust God than an indifferent one. For us to be ignored by God was a harsher punishment than to be a victim of His anger.” In the article, Weisel is suggesting that God’s

indifference is verifying that their suffering is not worth his time or thought. In my view, Wiesel is correct, because if no one is helping or reacting to their suffering and pain, then it makes them feel not worthless. More specifically, I believe that indifference to those who are suffering assists the enemy. In particular, Wiesel firmly insists that, “indifference is always the friend of the enemy, for it benefits the aggressor┄ never his victim, whose pain is magnified when he or she feels forgotten.” Overall, Wiesel’s use of connotation and personal experiences maintain the idea that the speech is to convince others that indifference is helping the enemy.

Many people around Europe worked to resist the Holocaust and help those who were being abused. The people that resisted the Holocaust put their life on the line to fight what they believed in. For example, Roza Robota was taken to Auschwitz in 1942, was recruited to smuggle gunpowder and transfer it. She got recruited by men of underground, which she met from her hometown. The gunpowder that was smuggle was used to blow up a crematorium. Robota was arrested and tortured in Block 23, but remained strong and did not reveal the operations. She was hanged on January 6, 1945 at 23 years old. Robota and many others died trying to help those are suffering.

On April 6, 1994, Rwandan president Juvenal Habyarimana was shot down over Kigali, this death lead started or sparked the violence. Rwandan consist mainly of three ethnic groups; Hutu (85%), Tutsi (14%), and Twa (1%). Hutu rebels eliminated Rwanda’s leadership and killed Tutsis or anyone with ties to a Tutsi. The political vacuum allowed Hutu to take control of the country and especially the government radio. The radio told Rwandans to murder their neighbors, and gave specific lists including names, addresses, and license plates of who to kill. The radio justified the genocide by discussing the discrimination the Hutus suffered from Tutsis, making it a slave rebellion and calling Tutsis “cockroaches” making it more seem more humane. Rape was also used as a weapon because it cause emotional pain and lead to health problems, most women were killed after. The United States and international community knew about the disorder in Rwanda, but took no action in stopping the killings. The United States remained indifferent because they did not want to lose their credibility, pay for supplies, or start a war. Overall, if the United States did not remain indifferent, they could have stopped the many tragic deaths.

Ultimately, Wiesel’s speech “The Perils of Indifference” is about not being a bystander or indifferent to those suffering.

Unfortunately, indifference is easy, tempting, and seductive, but there have been groups and people that have stood up for what they believe. Although, people believe these genocides can not happen now, there are many tragedies that are going on. We can learn to get involved and care for those who feel worthless from the speech. Feeling worthless or not important is worse than punishments. It is vital that we ask ourselves about the lessons we learn from the consequences of action and inaction during the Holocaust and other human rights tragedies. This can allow us not to make the same mistake

again.