Indifference elicits no response. Aremy expectations unrealistic or hasty? It is, after all, awkward, troublesome, to be involved in another person's pain and despair. These failures have cast a dark shadow over humanity: two World Wars, countless civil wars, the senseless chain of assassinations (Gandhi, the Kennedys, Martin Luther King, Sadat, Rabin), bloodbaths in Cambodia and Algeria, India and Pakistan, Ireland and Rwanda, Eritrea and Ethiopia, Sarajevo and Kosovo; the inhumanity in the gulag and the tragedy of Hiroshima. ), because they are criminals (and what combination of poor education, abuse, violent neighborhoods, economic hardships, contributed to their plight?). And soRep. John Lewis and his colleaguestook the dramatic step of holding a sit-in on the floor of the House of Representatives to try to force a vote on meaningful legislation to address gun violence. And, therefore, their lives are meaningless. Over there, behind the black gates of Auschwitz, the most tragic of all prisoners were the "Muselmanner," as they were called. All of us did. If you are indifferent to many things that normally would bother you or affect you emotionally, then you should see a doctor to find out why. elicit Even hatred at times may elicit a response. And yet, my friends, good things have also happened in this traumatic century []. And now, I stand before you, Mr. President -- Commander-in-Chief of the army that freed me, and tens of thousands of others -- and I am filled with a profound and abiding gratitude to the American people. Indifference reduces the other to an abstraction." . Indifference reduces the Other to an __________. Their hidden or even visible anguish is of no interest. Our definition derives from being our word. In the place that I come from, society was composed of three simple categories: the killers, the victims, and the bystanders. Indifference is when you don't care about someone or something. You denounce it. Millions of innocent people died in concentration camps throughout Europe, but genocides were occurring in Rwanda and Kosovo. And let us remember the meeting, filled with drama and emotion, between Rabin and Arafat that you, Mr. President, convened in this very place. Finally, indifference can hurt society by keeping suffering hidden. Why were they so few? Indifference elicits no response. This time, we do respond. But this time, the world was not silent. You can specify conditions of storing and accessing cookies in your browser. He feels that neglecting a person's suffering makes it easy to dismiss that person as less than human. Wiesel wants to be clear that, in some cases, people did learn from the Holocaust and World War II. Without indignation, without anger, without hope, humanity will be extinguished forever." But they were real, and Elie Wiesel understood better than anyone the consequences of underestimating those images. Part 2: The Spirit of the World, To Surrender Oneself : A Brief Introduction to Saint Thrse Couderc, Marian Consecration is Not a Nice Thing to Do, Misunderstanding Those Who Seem Different, How to Know if You Are Under a Spiritual Attack. Millions more were killed in World War I, World War II, and Vietnam, and still countries were using violence to solve their problems. Yet, for the person who is indifferent, his or her neighbor are of no consequence. Argumentative Essay On Indifference - 739 Words | Bartleby nonobvious Their hidden or even visible anguish is of no interest. One does something special for the sake of humanity because one is angry at the injustice that one witnesses. A. What will the legacy of this vanishing century be? Roosevelt was a good man, with a heart. On Human Indifference - Catholic Stand He believes that ignoring a person's misery makes it easier to look at that person as something less than human. But in at least posing, struggling with these questions, we will no longer be a society of indifference. But that doesn't solve anything. Yet, for the person who is indifferent, his or her neighbor are of no consequence. Indifference reduces the Other to an abstraction. Elie also believes that indifference causes others pain and suffering. It is knowing that thousands of people die every day of easily avoidable causes, but living your life as though oblivious to that reality, except perhaps an occasional gift to charity. And I thank all of you for being here. Why did some of America's largest corporations continue to do business with Hitler's Germany until 1942? They told jurors Chauvin showed indifference to Floyds pleas for help. We could take a little time out of each day to do something about unconscionable national and global health inequities, writing, emailing, calling our presidents and prime ministers, national and local legislators, about the need to create health systems that serve everyone equally, to address homelessness, to establish and fund policies that enable people with disabilities to reach their full potential, and so forth. They focused relentlessly on Chauvins casual body language during his arrest of Floyd and the lack of concern on his face as he pinned Floyd to the ground. However, it does allow the evil to flourish by simply doing nothing. Elie Wiesel called love the opposite of indifference. Is it a philosophy? Indifference is not a response." answer choices . It is, after all, awkward, troublesome, to be involved in another person's pain and despair. When the ship of Jewish refugees arrived in Cuba and was turned away, the captain turned to the United States for help. But plenty of people saw that image of Chauvin looking bored as a Black mans life ebbed away beneath him. Etymologically, the word means "no difference." It is so much easier to look away from victims. White indifference to police brutality is why so many Black men continue to die like Floyd. As activists use momentum from the Floyd verdict to press for more police reforms, this wall of indifference may be their biggest challenge. But the question remainswhy did so few people step up to try to help? Indifference elicits no response. But some live their entire lives that way and I cant for the life of me understand the appeal. to refer to anything or anyone originating in Africa? He was finally free, but there was no joy in his heart. Is today's justified intervention in Kosovo, led by you, Mr. President, a lasting warning that never again will the deportation, the terrorization of children and their parents, be allowed anywhere in the world? It is so easy for one to simply take feeling out of all perspectives in life. It doesn't put a crimp in your style. Never, ever make a promise because it\s momentarily appropriate and then run from the promise. It is doing something that denies or removes their importance or value. While these reflections confront my feelings about life with Adam, the thoughts and feelings apply aptly to the plight of so many others. Anger can at times be creative. Your email address will not be published. B) "Anguish" implies a more manageable type of suffering. If we spend the maximum of available resources towards fulfilling peoples human rights, if we infuse equity throughout our policies, if we ensure people the opportunity to be part of the processes of crafting the policies that will affect their lives, if we ensure that none of our policies undercut peoples rights, if we provide avenues to people to challenge policies that people believe are tilted towards indifference to their plight rather than an abiding concern for their humanity if we do all this, then we will be beginning a grand new chapter in the book of humanity. For 35 points: But this time, the world was not silent. 600 New Jersey Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20001 What will the legacy of this vanishing century be? One does something special for the sake of humanity because one is angry at the injustice that one witnesses. Yet, for the person who is indifferent, his or her neighbor are of no consequence. And in denying their humanity, we betray our own. Why have American presidents refused for decades to use the term genocide in describing the atrocities committed against Armenians by the Ottoman E Anger can at times be creative. And yet, my friends, good things have also happened in this traumatic century: the defeat of Nazism, the collapse of communism, the rebirth of Israel on its ancestral soil, the demise of apartheid, Israel's peace treaty with Egypt, the peace accord in Ireland. At least the racists recognize that they exist they see them, even if their vision is clouded by hate. So much violence; so much indifference. Just take them. People who are indifferent can be seen as cold, aloof, disinterested, unmotivated, and lacking in passion. This can be just as damaging as hating others because they avoid them. Indifference, after all, is more dangerous than anger and hatred. "Even hatred at times may elicit a response. Funny people are everywhere. But indifference is never creative. (104-106). He mobilized the American people and the world, going into battle, bringing hundreds and thousands of valiant and brave soldiers in America to fight fascism, to fight dictatorship, to fight Hitler. Violent acts of White racism grab the headlines. Alicia also volunteers as an editor for her college newspaper, and has worked on various writing-related projects during her time there. Of course, when those actions fail to produce what we need, we experience disappointment, grief and disillusion. And just as there are different types of diseases, so too are there different kinds of indifference. The political prisoner in his cell, the hungry children, the homeless refugeesnot to respond to their plight, not to relieve their solitude by offering them a spark of hope is to exile them from human memory. Or, is itsimply the plague of indifference? Reflections on Indifference and Human Rights - O'Neill Liberated a day earlier by American soldiers, he remembers their rage at what they saw. He was eventually released without charge. One does something special for the sake of humanity because one is angry at the injustice that one witnesses. Giving the dead in Baghdad as well as Brussels, Pakistan as well as Paris, our respect will not end the bombings and other attacks. Roosevelt was a good man, with a heart. To learn more, check out our transcription guide or visit our transcribers forum. Elie Wiesel - The Perils of Indifference | Genius But then, there were human beings who were sensitive to our tragedy. They widened in disbelief. th a focus on the Essential Question for this unit: What does our response to the conflict say about us? Use evidence from the text to support your response. C. Some of my friends are funny. The trick is choosing to move beyond that place and take action to be compassionate and goodand that's not an easy thing to do. It isgiving little thought toprisoners who languish in squalid, abusive, inhumane conditions because they broke the law (or did they? In his book, Race in the Mind of America: Breaking the Vicious Circle Between Blacks and Whites, psychologist Paul L. Wachtel wrote that what is often called racism can be more precisely described as indifference. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. And, therefore, indifference is always the friend of the enemy, for it benefits the aggressornever his victim, whose pain is magnified when he or she feels forgotten. And, therefore, their lives are meaningless. It is far simpler to turn away from victims. 2. Why didn't he allow these refugees to disembark? This site is using cookies under cookie policy . Yupthose are the million-dollar questions. defined as being uncaring vis--vis arbitrary policies affecting other social groups. During the darkest of times, inside the ghettoes and death camps -- and I'm glad that Mrs. Clinton mentioned that we are now commemorating that event, that period, that we are now in the Days of Remembrance -- but then, we felt abandoned, forgotten. I hear that so many times but I was so careful, I did everything to be healthy, I cant understand why my baby died. People can't be blamed for being indifferent; it is a natural state of mind. They no longer felt pain, hunger, thirst. This means not acting like monsters toward others. Is it necessary at times to practice it simply to keep one\s sanity, live normally, enjoy a fine meal and a glass of wine, as the world around us experiences harrowing upheavals? And, therefore, their lives are meaningless. It is therefore not an act of courage to refuse to feel. Indifference reduces the other to an abstraction. This time, we intervene. And thats why its no accident that it was White indifference not hatred that seemed to anger the Rev. People who live in cultures where hardship is the norm likely have a lit to teach us. Indifference reduces the other to an abstraction. . For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. A Study of Reality: Mans Finite Response to Gods Infinite Revelation. God is wherever we are. Ignoring starving children and refugees means telling those populations they're worthless and they don't matter, that their situation is hopeless. The look in Derek Chauvin's eyes was something worse than hate Georgetown University Law Center No matter how much someone cares about something, if they are indifferent to it, then it is not important to them. Every minute one of them dies of disease, violence, famine. But the look of disinterest in Chauvins eyes is a reminder that indifference not just hate is a critical part of how racism works. Many people cant muster the strength to watch the entire Floyd video. Those non-Jews, those Christians, that we call the "Righteous Gentiles," whose selfless acts of heroism saved the honor of their faith. What does Elie mean? Is there a philosophy of indifference conceivable? The look on Chauvins face is one of bored disinterest. As a result, apathy is always the enemy's buddy, because it helps the aggressor rather than his victim, whose grief is amplified when he or she feels forgotten. Editor\s Note: This is a guest contribution from reader Philip A. Dzialo, and it accompanies Tammy Ruiz\s article, Be Not Afraid, Be Not Mean. Do theyreject our path and did theyhope that we wouldusher him into an institution? Indifference reduces the Other to an abstraction. What is indifference? Yes, there will still be questions. I understand first hand the difficulty people have when confronted with events that change expectations of a future life. In a 1965 speech, Martin Luther King, Jr., called the greatest tragedy of this periodnot the vitriolic words and other violent actions of the bad people but the appalling silence and indifference of the good people.. How is one to explain their indifference? They would have bombed the railways leading to Birkenau, just the railways, just once. It doesn't relieve us of our duties or obligations, but it does make them harder to fulfill if we don't take care of ourselves first. Though he did not understand their language, their eyes told him what he needed to knowthat they, too, would remember, and bear witness. Indifference, then, is not only a sin, it is a punishment. Love this Phil!! To me, those are the people who are the most maddening, and I know more than a few. anguish (n.) great mental suffering, distress, or pain abstraction Their hidden or even visible anguish is of no interest. humans lack emotion. How to raise sufficient resources and divvy up spending between health care, education, social safety net programs, equal access to justice.? Never ask, \Can I get you something?\ Just get it. "Indifference," as Elie Wiesel defines it, is nuanced and complicatedand not at all innocent. Not to say Ive never had my indifferent moments because I have. That will go down as one of the defining images of our era because it tells a story about racism that many people dont want to hear. "The Perils of Indifference" is a not-so-gentle reminder of the negative consequences of indifference, and how important it is to take an interest in the anguish of others, even when it's tempting to look the other way. One writes a great poem, a great symphony. Whereas, 'pain' refers to a feeling of suffering caused by a damage. Indifference in the book Night by Elie Weisel - StudyMode Much of the progress on police reform, though, will boil down to this: Will enough lawmakers and judges see Black and brown people who are being brutalized by the justice system as fellow human beings? Better an unjust God than an indifferent one. Indifference reduces the Other to an abstraction. Our team has experience in preserving and safeguarding the . Sure, the killers were obviously the really guilty, and the victims were the innocent partybut what about the bystanders? When it is our turn, were surprised that were weak. Even hatred at times may elicit a response. Jeff Zelevansky/Reuters/Corbis. Copyright A.D. 2018 Catholic Stand | Powered by Astra, Like a Rock: Pope Francis Takes the Kepha Approach. We can be more conscious of the how the food we eat, clothes we wear, and electronics we purchase are produced. It is so much easier to avoid such rude interruptions to our work, our dreams, our hopes. Why did some of America's largest corporations continue to do business with Hitler's Germany until 1942? Keep writing, you and his mom are Adams voice to the world and I have a feeling that his impact on the world is far from complete. Indifference can be positive or negative; it can help or hurt those who are indifferent to our feelings. In a way, to be indifferent to that suffering is what makes the human being inhuman. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Caring for others is difficult. And that ship, which was already in the shores of the United States, was sent back. We as a culture have been trained to run from The Cross and we dont expend much energy learning to embrace and carry it. This time, we intervene. You can specify conditions of storing and accessing cookies in your browser. indifference, in the mathematical theory of probability, a classical principle stated by the Swiss mathematician Jakob Bernoulli and formulated (and named) by the English economist John Maynard Keynes in A Treatise on Probability (1921): two cases are equally likely if no reason is known why either case should be the preferable one. Yet, for the person who is indifferent, his or her neighbor are of no consequence. Indifference can also be a sign of mental illness. According to Elie Wiesel, being indifferent to another person, or another group of people, reduces them to nothingas if their problems or their suffering just doesn't matter. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Surely it will be judged, and judged severely, in both moral and metaphysical terms. And maybe in that moment, as he was handcuffed and led away, he got a glimpse of the terror that so many Black and brown men have felt. Is it a philosophy? It can spread quickly, affecting many people until no one trusts or cares about anyone else again. Perhaps the greatest cause of indifference in todays world, the normalization of terror whether the terror of another terrorist attack, another mass casualty bombing, or the terror of a mother and her family as she hemorrhages uncontrollably after childbirth, soon to become one of a quarter million-plus women who die from pregnancy- or childbirth-related complications every year, with almost all such deaths preventable.