Joining the Flow

     Why do people choose to participate in horrific events?

     Throughout time, people have turned on one another in times of oppression, even when they had not prior resentment towards the victims of the injustice.  In Nazi Germany of 1939, people who had nothing against Judaism suddenly joined the plot to completely eliminate the religion altogether.  The Nazi empire brought Europe to its knees, destroying anything and anyone who opposed them.  People who joined the Nazis, even if they didn't fully believe in what Hitler was all about, the human instinct of self preservation would kick in.  They would want to join the side with the power, not the destitute.

Getting Over Trauma

In you opinion, what is the best way to get over trauma?  Why?

     Everyone gets over trauma in their own way; some people turn to alcohol, some turn to drugs, some turn to other people.  In my opinion, the best way to get over trauma is to talk with another person about it and tell them what you are going through.  Letting someone else know how you feel can ease the pain of being the only one to experience the traumatizing event.  Psychiatrists and therapists are good people to go to, since they are professionally trained to help people, but sometimes family members are just as good if not better because they already know you. 

Blame

     Civilians who benefited from the Pinochet regime have never taken the blame for their actions.  The current president of Chile, President Pinera, said "the country needs both justice and forgiveness," which are two ideas that are intertwined with each other on the topic of rebuilding a nation.  Those who were among the offenders should be recognized as such and have certain legal actions taken against them, yet to a very small extent, they should also be recognized as human.  For example, someone who stood by and watched what Pinochet did shouldn't get the same punishment as one of the perpetrators of the crime.  But they also should face some consequences to their decisions.  The problem with this, however, is that some people who stood by sincerely didn't know what was happening to the people who disappeared, while people who did know claim that they didn't.

Enduring Legacy

In the documentary Nostalgia of Light, there were a few subtle acts of rebellion described.  While they weren't violent or forceful acts of rebellion, they were acts that would free the prisoners' minds from the terrible conditions they were enduring.  For example, one man constructed a tool to observe constellations to gain a sense of freedom, and to feel far away from where he was.  Another man memorized every inch of the camps he was imprisoned in so that he could sketch them when he got out to prove that the oppression really did happen.  Both of these men are equally effective at using their memory to preserving history, because both of them remember what happened through what they did to try and forget. 

Arpilleras

Arpilleras made during the Pinochet reign have a strong message of protest behind them.  They are made to have a hidden message about what Pinochet was doing at the time, but are made so that the police or military wouldn't be able to pick up on the meaning.  It could be as simple as having an empty chair with a question mark, but each Arpillera symbolizes what the people of Chile were fighting for.    

Memory and Legacy

     The Congolese Genocide was an event that took many years to unearth.  King Leopold, ruler of Belgium, ruled with an iron fist, and corrupted anyone who attempted to reveal what he was doing.  With his power, he was able to control what was reported on the subject and made him look completely innocent.  In addition, people where afraid to oppose him.  If they were to figure out what was happening, they would be arrested or even killed. 

What is Voice?

     I personally believe that the voice that Gandhi takes in his arguments is the best.  He never wanted violence of any type, which gets a stronger point across.  By always taking the peaceful route of life, he shows that a man who disregards violence when violence is the only answer is the better man.  To use violence is to be a coward, for a coward destroys his opposition when he does not want to be defeated.  And a man who fights for peace with violence is not fighting for peace.  A man who fights for peace with peace is a man who truly wants to dethrone violence.