Examples Of Ignorance Is Not Bliss

The tragic events that occurred during world war two and the holocaust were not only horrific but also morally wrong. The Jewish culture was targeted for mass genocide, by the hand of a mad-man bent on world domination, and the only way to prevent another incident like this from happening again, is to thoroughly educate the public. The actions and events that Hitler and his followers proposed not only helped the world realize the extent of his destruction but also how horrible it would be if the events were to happen again. The aftermath of the war and holocaust left half of Europe in ruins, and more than six million Jews, Homosexuals, Gypsies, and Africans dead, not including

On September 20, 2001, President George W. Bush made a speech on the terrorist attack, which took place on September 11, 2001. The people of America needed support and direction on how to handle what just happen. The American people demanded that the President addresses the Nation after the attacks and guide them. Nine days later, President Bush did just that. Over the next few days, emotions ran high in the country. “Will this happen again?” “Is it safe to leave in my home?” many wondered. Everywhere throughout the Nation, airlines had stopped service, the New York Stock Exchange was temporarily suspended, and every tv channel around the country played the latest news about the attack. The American people understandably asked and asked “What’s next?” from their leaders, so when President Bush gave his

During World War II from 1933 to 1945 in Europe, horrifying systematic events took place were millions of innocent people were tortured and killed based on their religious views, culture, and sexual orientation. The Nazi’s under the command of Adolf Hitler committed these crimes. These horrifying systematic events that took place are known as the Holocaust. The following texts Elie Wiesel’s Night, Eve Bunting’s Terrible Things, and Martin Niemoller First They Came all convey how the surrounding public during World War II stayed silent and didn't stand up for the people who were being oppressed. All three of these texts explains why it is highly important to stop indifference and inaction. Indifference can lead to horrific actions; those actions can probably lead to the genocide of an entire group, furthermore the inaction of a bystander can not only affect and hurt the victim but can also strongly affect the bystander, and finally inaction against oppression can harm and devastate many lives.

September 11th catalyzed a major revival in the American public’s concern for domestic national security, which had dropped off following the collapse of the Soviet Union. The attacks, which were the first on American soil since Pearl Harbor, prompted American leaders to respond with swift and ambitious military action. At this time, the public perceived security of American territory against “terrorism”–an intentionally broad and emotionally charged term– as its chief national interest. Following the attack, President Bush announced the launch of a “global war on terror”, an international effort to combat terrorist groups and the nations that harbor them–prompting him to establish the Department of Homeland Security later that year.

Many people stood by and did nothing while Adolf Hitler killed millions. Some people might have not done anything because of the pure fact that they were scared for their lives, and for the lives of their families. Others may not have done anything because they agreed with Hitler. Some may of just of not cared what was going on as long as it did not affect theme.

This is why the holocaust was allowed to happen; the average citizen had no idea what was really happening. They were too distracted by the German propaganda efforts to pay any mind to what really happened to the person who used to be their neighbor.

In Elie Wiesel's speech he touches on the topics of the causes, effects, and lessons from the holocaust, our duties as a human being, and finally how we can achieve peace for ourselves and everyone around the globe. In paragraph eight he states that, “…the world did know and remain silent.” Wiesel is referring to the general public of Germany as a whole. Wiesel also says that, “And action is the only remedy to indifference: the most insidious danger of all.” Which simply says by not doing anything this was allowed to happen. You can link that to how German citizens not spreading the word or opposed Hitler. How was Hitler so effective in getting all the Jew and other “undesirables”? German citizens would point the authorities to the Jews, homosexuals,

The infamous Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel once said, “Being a neutral bystander helps those who are evil; that remaining silent encourages even more evil to happen.” Wiesel was part of the millions of Jews and protesters who Nazis shipped off to numerous concentration camps during the Holocaust. The apprehended and inaccurately claimed convicts had to go through many terrors to survive. Wiesel was one of the few Jews who survived the time Hitler ruled. I agree with Wiesel’s significant quote for many various reasons. To begin, I agree with Wiesel’s statement because victims that could have helped others during the Holocaust ignored that there were evil actions occurring around them during the time Hitler ruled. The victims also ignored

Elie Wiesel once said, “Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” An image of the holocaust may make it appear that many people living in Europe at the time took very little effort to try to help protect the innocent from captivity, but does it really hurt the people?Elie Wiesel’s statement is correct; staying silent does not stop suffering or keep problems from happening. In the first place, speaking out against mistreatment can prevent the injury of other people. Giving a warning might just be able to save someone’s life.

Ignorance toward those who are suffering, in many ways, is as bad as those inflicting the suffering. German workers and citizens ignored and even taunted the suffering Jews. While the jews were trapped and starving in rail cars designed for livestock, the German bystanders watched and threw bread at the penned up prisoners. “And the spectators observed these emaciated creatures ready to kill for a crust of bread” (Wiesel 101). The spectator were acting like eager children at the zoo, throwing popcorn at the animals, except those animals were humans. These starving humans were being taunted by the despicable German works that threw bread at them, bread that the starving Jews were killing each other for. Elie Wiesel

A quote from Albert Einstein states “the world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything”. As difficult as it is to describe the terrible deeds of those who were part of the Holocaust, it is true that those who did nothing are at fault just as much as those who carried out the actions. When one thinks of the Holocaust today it is difficult to picture that such events were done by human beings. Societies have advanced but it is important to acknowledge the reason as to why many bystanders refused to help or why they were so indifferent to the pain felt by the Jews. “The psychological mechanisms used to come to terms with the suffering of another appear to be very similar, whether the person is standing right before us or is 2,000 miles away. (Barnet:118) Barnett explains that ideological and moral principles also come into play, as do self-interest and the weighing of the possible consequences of our actions. We try to establish what is or is not possible. In the end, our decision will be determined not so much by whether we actually have the power to change a situation, but whether we have the will to do so. (Barnett, 118). In the case of many of the individuals who chose to become bystanders rather than change the situation they were not willing to get involved. Although not every German was a bystander, those who

As the young generation of this country, it is our responsibility to take care of it as are predecessors have. In order to do that we must keep up on current events and have a clear understanding of the way our country, our community, and our world operate. This includes staying up to date with events in our country, such as presidential elections and natural disasters. I get many questions as to why I follow this year’s presidential election, because I don’t vote. It is because I care about our country and I feel it is my responsibility as a citizen to know what my country is going through.

However, this evidence is not compelling. As professor of psychology, Ervin Staub of the University of Massachusetts writes, “ Bystanders play a far more critical role in society than people realize. Bystanders... help shape society by their reactions... They can define the meaning of events and move others toward empathy or indifference...they can affirm the perpetrators” (Stromer 371). Although bystanders were not directly involved in the atrocities committed against Jews, “their reactions” alone changed the course of history. Individual’s actions have the power to influence others to do the same, especially during dilemmas where a person’s safety is at risk . The inactions of bystanders, led others around them to chose the path of complacency. Because the German public was complacent, “they…[affirmed] the perpetrators”. There was no resistance preventing the Nazi’s from perpetuating anti-semitism and committing mass murder; hence the cycle of injustice

The world has been changed forever since the tragic attack on September 11, 2001. An observer described the atrocity by saying, "It just went 'bam,' like a bomb went off. It was like holy hell (CNN 1). " The new world will be different from what any American has known before. A new war has arisen, not against a foreign country or a major region of the world, but rather against a select group of people who have the capabilities to destroy the lives of so many. The war against terrorism which the United States is now forced to wage will not be an easily won battle. This war will not be fought solely on scattered battlefields in certain countries. It will instead permeate through every aspect of life as we

Collectively American citizens can thwart terrorism on U.S. soil while maintaining the freedoms established in the U.S. Constitution. John F. Kennedy said is best during his inaugural address, “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”. In addition to strengthening and reorganization of the security infrastructure and since September 11, 2001, the individual support of every American is enough to protect citizens from tragic acts of terrorism. Every American must be charged with knowing the threats of terrorism against the U.S.. Furthermore, Americans essentially have the duty of knowing what actions are necessary to implement