Auden's Musee Des Beaux Arts

The victims of the indifference of others are

People in today's world are more reluctant to help and stand up for others. Caring more about themselves rather than the others around them. This practice of indifference in today’s society only leads to negative outcomes. Outcomes that are portrayed in the novel Night by Elie Wiesel, and in both the articles “The Perils of Indifference” by Elie Wiesel and Indifference has been seen all throughout history and has led to many unfortunate events. One of these events was the holocaust.

Elie Wiesel argues that indifference denies the humanity of victims and urges people to face their own indifference.

Holocaust Survivor, Elie Wiesel, in his speech, “The Perils of Indifference” (1999), advises that having an apathetic attitude to a situation is dangerous a society in need of help. He supports his claim by gaining credibility from his audience and uses imagery to help, then addresses briefly about his past life and an example of when indifference occurred, and finally, throws everything that transpired in the past and hints what we can do differently in the future. Wiesel’s purpose is to urge the audience to not be indifferent to what is happening around the world, but to see how society could all help. Throughout the speech, there are a few different tones such as gratuitous, passive, and grateful for his audience to make a change.

He establishes a critical tone for those who don’t see indifference as much of a problem or at least a problem that concerns them.

Elie Wiesel begins his speech with stating his understanding that indifference becomes a normal state of mind for the sake of not wanting to get involved or for other selfish reasons. He also expresses how indifference can be captivating and easier than helping the victims. In this portion of the speech, he questions the reader without wanting a direct response. He questions, “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?” This quotation explains that many people are too focused on their own lives, to care about others. By questioning the audience, it makes them feel involved and possibly even guilty. Eyes are opened and the thought of how self-serving being indifferent is hits the reader's emotions. He expresses how individuals feel being ignored by the bystanders who never stand up for them. Withal, he makes a reference stating that if the victims are not close to us, their lives become meaningless.

In his speech, “The Perils of Indifference,” Elie Wiesel explains that “Indifference, after all, is more dangerous than anger or hatred,” (Paragraph 11). I agree with this sentiment because while anger can make people do things like change something for the sake of humanity, nothing good can come out of indifference. When a person is indifferent, they don’t feel the need to change anything for the better. Wiesel defines indifference as “a strange and unnatural state in which the lines blur between light and darkness, dusk and darn, crime and punishment, cruelty and compassions, good and evil,” (Paragraph 6). Indifference is a state of being in which a person is unconcerned about the things and people around them.

Holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel in his speech, “The Perils of Indifference,” stresses that becoming indifferent is the most dangerous thing that can happen to a person and their surroundings. He supports his claim by first defining and describing indifference, he then talks about how it can be described in many different ways, but ultimately indifference is the end. Wiesel’s purpose is to warn his audience against the dangers of insouciance and its effects on the world. He establishes and apprehensive tone for his audience due to the traumatizing events of his past.

Jewish writer and Holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel, in his significant speech, “The Perils of Indifference,” clearly states that indifference is very dangerous to humanity and shall be put to an end. He develops his message through emphasizing the cruel results of indifference. For example, Wiesel explains how a person’s life feels “meaningless” when their neighbor is indifferent. It is indifference that can “reduce the other to an abstraction” (par 8). The author describes what indifference means to him as well. In particular, indifference is “more dangerous than anger and hatred.” It is “not a beginning, it is an end.” It is “not only a sin, it is a punishment” (par 11-13). Lastly, indifference, is viewed as an adverse situation. By being indifferent, it makes it easier for people to “avoid” certain cases that affect their “work,” “dreams,” and “hopes” (par 8). Wiesel’s purpose is to inform, warn, and define indifference in order to bring awareness therefore something can be done to stop the madness. He establishes a formal and serious tone for readers by using stylistic devices such as repetition, imagery, and word choice in order to develop his message that indifference is what can lead to history repeating itself, and we should not risk it at all. Wiesel’s message about the inhumanity of indifference and the importance of resistance is still relevant today.

Among the many artworks I have seen, I decided to discuss about the “Sarcophagus Depicting a Battle between Soldiers and Amazons (Warrior Women)” from the Roman civilization. It was built sometime in between 140 A.D. to 170 A.D and is approximately forty and a half inches in length, ninety-one and a half inches in width, and fifty and a half inches tall in height (“Roman Sarcophagus”). This masterpiece appealed to me because of the unique approach that has been designed to honor the deceased. Many people are familiar with the formatting and inscriptions of a gravestone because it is usually engraved with an individual’s full name, birth date, and death date. During the Roman Empire, a sarcophagus, which is a coffin, was widely used to show decorative themes that includes: battle scenes, hunting scenes, weddings, or other memorable episodes from the life of the deceased individual. The most luxurious ones were made from marble surrounded by symbolic sculptures, figures and inscriptions on all four sides (“Sarcophagus”). Another feature that captured my attention was the large quantity of details used to bring out a lifelike aspect of the deceased individual’s favorable moments in their life. In this artwork, this sarcophagus was dedicated to a Roman commander. The exterior of the sarcophagus has been well-decorated and carved with exquisite details depicting a battle scene

Suffering is embedded in our daily lives. There are devastating things going on in our daily environments and yet, people seldom realize this as they occupy themselves with other tasks. W.H. Auden’s, Musée des Beaux Arts, is a statement on human perceptions and how we use them to observe, or block out human suffering. While we are doing ordinary things like eating, or opening a window, bad things can be happening to others and it is as easy as looking up, to see what is actually going on. Auden illustrates societies’ indifference to human suffering through the form of his poem and by alluding to artwork that compares human perceptions and juxtaposes ordinary images with images of suffering and tragedy.

Because we are taught to only care about ourselves, we are highly apathetic about others, especially those that we do not have direct contact with. We simply do not care about the conditions that other people live in, how or whether they eat, or whether they have a dry, safe place to sleep at night. As long as how others live does not affect us, we have no reason to care, because society teaches us that we are the only ones that matter. As long as we are happy, we don’t have to care about anybody else. Even if we are not happy, we only need to care about others just enough to get them to give us

Rodman Sterling is considered one of the best television writers in American history. Starting from a small city town within Syracuse, New York, the experiences of war and the injustices within the workplace developed Rod’s concern for the state of society. He went forward to get a degree in English literature and drama. As his talent for writing developed, he received several Emmy awards and became one of the best things to happen to television (PBS). Sterling’s playwright ability enabled him to bring quality entertainment to Americans in a media infected with mediocrity. Knowing Sterling’s motivation to use the Twilight Zone as a social commentary enables a more in-depth understanding of his use of ingenuity to sneak in controversial themes into a fantastical world.

As competent and ethical social workers, we strive to meet the clients where they are at, however, we ourselves need to be aware and acknowledge where we are at in terms of our own biases, vulnerabilities, traumatic events, cultural values and personal experiences. To effectively provide the best possible services, we have to be self-aware of our own vulnerabilities and do our own work to ensure we do not further harm the clients. Self-awareness is an ongoing process. We are constantly growing and experiencing new things, we ebb and flow, confirming or revoking set beliefs and biases or creating new ones. Therefore, as ethical social workers, it is our obligation to practice mindfulness and self-awareness.

Making marijuana legal in all fifty states is one of the biggest debates going on right now. Well, that is, if it isn 't already legal in your hometown. There are twenty-five states that has it legalized. Alaska, New York, Oregon, and Maryland are just a few. There are possession limits that each state has issued, though. For example, Alaska is only allowed to have one ounce usable, which is six plants and Oregon is allowed to have up to twenty-four ounces useable, which equals to twenty-four plants. So, of course, other states are now hoping for their chance, but these states have legalized marijuana because it has improved conditions such as cancer, HIV, AIDS, epilepsy, and other disorders characterized by seizures. For decades and generations Americans only knew of marijuana as a powerful and dangerous drug. One that could rise the number of deaths and criminal behavior if it was allowed in their community. This fear came about in the United States in the early 1900’s just after the Mexican Revolution, As stated on www.drugpolicy.org. At this particular time there was an influx of immigration from Mexico into states such as Texas and Louisiana. These new Americans brought their native language, culture, and customs. Of course, one of those customs were the use of cannabis as a medicine and relaxant. The Mexican immigrants referred to the plant as “marihuana.” Which is a foreign term. This issue is so important for the present because everyone needs to understand