english feb 13

                In the book All But My Life the main character Gerda talks about the Holocaust from her perspective. There are several examples of “Polarization” a stage of genocide throughout the early stages of the book. At one point Gerda describes how the “Jews” weren’t allowed to have their own gardens and could only freely move about in the local cemetery. This is a text book example, in how the Nazi’s try to keep the “Jews” and the “Aryans” away from each other in their psychopathic march towards “racial purity”. That of course is what polarization is; keeping the two groups away from each other. 

                Also later in the book Gerda describes how when on a trip with her father’s friend to the factory he used to own. “Trembling, he pointed to a large red sign with bold white letters:

                                                Dogs and Jews Not Allowed to Enter...” (Weissmann Klein, 1957, p.26).

This the fact that they are keeping Jews from working or even being near the area were many used to work or even owned is polarization.

Amensty for All

               When it comes to help in stopping the terrible tredn of genocide, then why not an organization that's been doing it since 1961? Amnesty International has been helping for decades with war torn countries for decades and has a laundry list of accredidation. They have helped expose problems in Darfur, started the Stop Torture Campaign, were able to go into Iraq, and were one of the first to cover the Guatamalen genocide. That shows how active this organization has been by being in nearly every section of the world to help with some kind of problem.
              The scope and support this group has shown how great the organization is. If you don't believe me on the scope of this organization, a half century of work... 3 million supporters... 150 countries aided and covered by Amnmesty International. If a charity has that much support and that kind of scope, then they must be doing something right as a charity. Every reputible charity is worthy of suppor and desirves it, but the possibilities with AI, are astronomical and must be taken into account.

Syria Genocide or Not?

When it comes to whether or not it's a genocide and I can't say it is. I'd say that it is a war (a very dirty war) but a war non the less. There is a leader who doesn't necessarily represent the majority, but that can be said about most of the world's governments. It is terrible that the civilians are caught in the cross fire, but that always happens in war. Both sides are defending themselves, and neither side is completely dominating, the other. In conclusion this is terrible that it is happening, but a genocide it is not.

Who is to blame for these atrocities in Rwanda?

I believe that in the case of the Rwandan Genocide the Hutu, Tutsi, UN, and Belgian people are to blame.
The Hutu are to blame because the Hutu extremists were the ones who actually perpetrated such terrible deeds. The Tutsi are the ones to blame as well, because they ticked off the Hutu, by forcing the Hutu with sanctions, menial labor and a feeling of perceived superiority compared to the Hutus. It's like if you keep slapping a dog eventually the dog will bite your throat and rip it out.
     Of course the Belgians should take blame as well seeing that they started everything by taking over the land and favoring the Tutsis which would cause racial tension for generations to come. But the people who are truly disgusting in their hypocrisy and blame, are the United Nations. The UN was started to keep the world at peace and to stop any further genocides. BUT yet AGAIN the UN simply SAT BY and WATCHED the DESTRUCTION of the TUTSIS AND THE HUTUS. And what did they do? NOTHING!! ONCE AGAIN THEY SAT BY AND REFUSED TO LIFT A FINGER FOR THEIR "FELLOW MAN". But I don't blame the Americans, because I can see their fear in another Somalia incident. But not the UN the UN sucked at the Rwandan Genocide.

12-1-11

If I where the editor of Defiance, and given a choice on how to do the scene with the scout, I would have it stay the same. Kill the scout, and move on with your life. I chose that choice, because he is a nazi who would do the same thing to all of them and not think twice about it. That is my ethics, do unto others as others would do unto you.

11-30-11

The tactics used in the film Defiance, although reprehensable and terrible are justifiable. If you tell a group especially one of such magnatude that you will care and provide for them then you should do all that is in your power to protect and serve. As the saying goes, :The needs of many outweigh the needs of one.

Class activity 11-18-2011

The population of Belgium's  Jewish people was 60 to 70,000 during German occupation. Before the invasion the Belgian culture was similar to any western European nation at the time. Belgium is located by France, Luxembourg, Germany and the Netherlands. The Nazis invaded and took over Belgium in May of 1940 and were liberated in September of '44. During the occupation more than 20,000 Jews were deported. 25,000 were able to avoid deportation by hiding from German authorities. Fewer than 2,000 deported Jews were able to survive.

These are two pictures, one of two brothers from Brussels and on one of my friend John and myself. Things that are similar are that both include two males who seem to have a positive attitude towards each other. Differences though are that the picture including myself seems more energetic, while the one on the right is more reserved. What these pictures prove is that no matter what time it is or where it is you will always have friends and family.