Free Essay

The Powerless Can Become Powerful in Times of Conflict

In:

Submitted By AppleBlossoms
Words 997
Pages 4
Many times during conflict those that are the powerless often become the most powerful. Throughout history there have been many of such examples. These examples prove that while despotism and dictatorship and a corrupt government may be the most powerful in the worlds eyes, the victims/powerless are the people who leave the biggest impact.
When you think of and asylum seeker many people will often assume they are boat people looking for handouts. However, this is not always the case. Najaf Mazari is a perfect example of the powerless becoming powerful, through refugee/asylum status. At the age of about eleven or twelve, Najaf's world was literally blown to smithereens when a rocket launcher blew their house apart in the village of Mazar - e - Sharif. Najaf was injured to the point he was perilously close to becoming a cripple for life. A year after the bombing Najaf is cured. He returns to work as a Rugmaker only to face the demanding wrath of the Taliban and Communists governments. Najaf is perused so closely that he is forced into hiding from the Taliban, once caught is maliciously beaten as punishment.
As a consequence Najaf is forced to risk his life in the hands of people smugglers and get on a rickety and instable boat bound for Australia. Najaf is one of the lucky ones, his boat makes it to Christmas Island. Although his journey does not end here, Najaf must now prove his identity and a genuine asylum claim.
Eventually truth wins out and his visa comes through and he is granted asylum.
Najaf represents power during conflict extraordinarily well. He risked his life to flee and overcome astounding trials. Nowadays he owns his own rug shop with a wife and daughter in Parhan.
Moving Backwards in History Anne Frank is and outstanding model of the powerless becoming powerful during conflict. In 1943 just after Anne's 13th birthday, Anne and her family were forced into hiding in order to preserve their lives from the Nazi Germany mass genocide. They hid in Amsterdam , Holland for two years in and annexe above her father's. Joining them in hiding were the Van Danns and their son Peter along with one Mr Dussel.
During her time in hiding Anne wrote of their trails, tribulations and many of the happier times in the Annexe.
Sadly Anne was never to read her diary out to the world or even write in again. Just mere months before the liberation of Nazi Germany an anonymous tip off to SS police proved to be fatal for the inhabitants of the annexe All were split up and sent to either Germany, Holland or Poland. The only survivor was Anne's Father to who we owe our thanks to for Anne's diary today.
Anne Frank's words bought the world to tears. She is astronomical proof of the power. While one man's bigoted vision bought a country to its knees, a little girl bought a world to tears. Anne Frank liberated and gave the power to many Holocaust Survivors, the courage, hope and power to speak out against the monster know as Hitler and Nazi Germany. She is a true example of the powerless becoming powerful. Although denied the full life she deserved Anne Frank lives on in all those who speak out in defiance of oppression.
In Munich 194e an anti Nazi activist group known only as the White Rose was sitting printing, enveloping and stamping their 6th leaflet defaming, belittling and criticising Hitler and the Nazi Movement.
Reaching the end of their envelopes they discovered that there were nearly 3000 leaflets still to distribute. Hans Scholl was quick to volunteer himself to distribute them the next day. His sister Sophie was as equally hasty in offering to help, claiming it was easier for a woman to get away with carrying a suitcase.
The next day both Sophie and Hans Scholl entered Munich University, and proceeded to the first floor gallery and began placing leaflets at every classroom doorway, on the steps and banister. On and impulse Sophie flung a pile of leaflets into the foyer below. These actions proved to be fatal. A janitor below saw their actions and reported them both.
Both were apprehended along with Cristoph Probst. Days of intense questioning passed with Sophie lying until Hans and Christoph confess. At this point of events Sophie renounces her statement and says she did it and was proud to do it.
All three were taken to trial and were trial and were tried for high treason against Nazi Germany. Hans begs for Christoph to be granted leniency in place of himself given the fact he has 4 children and a wife to care and provide for. Needless to say it is not granted.
On the 22nd of February 1943 Hans and Sophie Scholl along with Christoph Probst were found guilty of high treason and sentenced to death the same day.
Sophie's last word were " The Sun is still shining." This shows that even walking to her death she still had faith that even though her death was imminent, freedom would win.
Hans Scholl's last word were "Es Leibe de Freiheit" meaning long live freedom. This again reiterates how dedicated and prepared to die for their cause they were.
The schools are a classic example of those who were reduced powerless becoming powerful, by having a say and fighting for what they believed in. This alone made them far more powerful than any nation or even conflict. It shows that a handful of powerless and oppressed adults can strike fear into the very heart of a cause becoming far more powerful than the oppressor.
So no matter if you're oppressed, powerless or silenced, everyone has the power to become powerful in times of conflict. Whether it is Najaf Mazari getting on a boat, Anne Frank writing or Hans and Sophie Scholl fighting for freedom it clearly shows that the powerless can become powerful in times of conflict.

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Iago Corruption In Othello

...characters, however his careful consideration into Iago’s character allowed him to exploit his personal and internal weaknesses to show that power will always corrupt in some way. Act 2, scene 1, line 158 demonstrates a clear example of how other character’s comments can have a significant impact on Iago internally, when Desdemona says ‘O, most lame and impotent conclusion!’ Whilst this quote is not directly describing Iago as a person, the audience are able to understand that Iago believes that this is what he is becoming and therefore decides to seek revenge on all who wrongly accuse him. The quick and somewhat spontaneous aggression in the words ‘lame’ and ‘impotent’, suggest Desdemona’s sudden vexation with Iago. These words are both synonymous with being disabled or lacking power and ability. They therefore portray a perspective of Iago’s character as being utterly powerless. This point is furthered in Act 3, Scene 3, when Iago warns Othello of Jealousy and claims that ‘it is the green eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on’. Shakespeare has employed the literary device of ambiguity here to show a contrasting view to this quote. Whilst Iago is warning Othello not to become the green eyed monster, the audience can also see that this may actually be an inward reflection of his own insecurities, therefore proving and exposing Iago’s own jealous flaws. The strong consonant sounds of k,th and t show a side of aggression that Iago portrays. As we have established, this metaphor...

Words: 1853 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Pattypols

...According to Conflict Theory, society is: • A struggle for dominance among competing social groups (classes, genders, races, religions, etc.). When conflict theorists look at society, they see the social domination of subordinate groups through the power, authority, and coercion of dominant groups. In the conflict view, the most powerful members of dominant groups create the rules for success and opportunity in society, often denying subordinate groups such success and opportunities; this ensures that the powerful continue to monopolize power, privilege, and authority. You should note that most conflict theorists oppose this sort of coercion and favor a more equal social order. Some support a complete socioeconomic revolution to socialism (Marx), while others are more reformist, or perhaps do not see all social inequalities stemming from the capitalist system (they believe we could solve racial, gender, and class inequality without turning to socialism). However, many conflict theorists focus on capitalism as the source of social inequalities. The primary cause of social problems, according to the conflict perspective, is the exploitation and oppression of subordinate groups by dominants. Conflict theorists generally view oppression and inequality as wrong, whereas Structural-Functionalists may see it as necessary for the smooth running and integration of society. Structural-Functionalism and Conflict Theory therefore have different VALUE-ORIENTATIONS but can lead to...

Words: 1225 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Book

... and violence on our screens. These graphic images can encourage us to act, or leave us cold. In this essay I will discuss the effects of these constant powerful pictures. It’s natural to respond to other people’s suffering. When we see hungry children or frightened refugees on our televisions, we want to send money or support. Huge relief efforts such as Live Aid or Action for Haiti have resulted from ordinary people’s reactions. Another natural response is anger. We ask our leaders to act to change the political or economic situation that causes the pain. Some people also take action themselves. They volunteer time in their home communities to raise funds, or even work or fight in the affected region. Have a look at a longer (400-word) version of this essay However, the frequency of these painful and violent scenes can also have opposite effects. First of all, it doesn’t seem right to watch tsunamis or other disasters while we are eating breakfast. Some people become obsessed with bad news on the television or internet. Second, it’s also natural to protect yourself and those around you. To reduce the impact on ourselves or our families, we change the television channel or make a joke about the conflict or continent affected. Finally, because the images seem never-ending, we get fed up sending money which does not seem to have any effect. Many people feel powerless and therefore do nothing, until an even more powerful image is forced on...

Words: 262 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Communication

...society develops and fall into certain categories due to the politics’ pressure. Marxism in Feminism: It talks about the rights of women, which has kept changing over the time, and along with it the Feminist theory and the freedom of women having the control of her own life and desires. Marxist Feminist mainly believes in the moral right or wrong in corruption of wage labour, which is caused by the oppression of women. And to understand the capitalist sources of this, Marxist theory is developed and applied into it. Strengths of Marxism: Marxist theory looks at society as a whole, therefore acknowledging all the social forces involved.  It recognises the power interests of different groups.  Is good at explaining conflict and change in society.  Stresses the role of class struggle (conflict) within society between the proletariat (workers) and the bourgeoisie (owners).  Recognises that society is organised under capitalism, in that the bourgeoisie aim to maximise profit by exploiting the proletariat. Weaknesses of Marxism: Marxist theory finds it difficult to explain the presence of certain phenomena (for example Kerry Katona has lots of money but is from a working class background). It overlooks the idea that other factors may help to shape society. Key Ideas of Marxism: Marxism believes that capitalism can only thrive on the exploitation of the working class. Marxism believes that there was a real contradiction between human nature and the way that we must work in a capitalist...

Words: 783 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Social Problems and Deviance

...later developed into his theory that he named Anomie Strain Theory. The labelling theory links deviance not to action but to the reaction of others. The labelling theory is used as a sociological theory of crime influential in challenging positivity criminology. The key people to this theory were Becker and Lemert. While it was Lemert who introduced the key concepts of labelling theory, it was Howard Becker who become their champion. He first began describing the process of how a person adopts a deviant role in a study of dance musicians, with whom he once worked. He later studied the identity formation of marijunana smokers. This study was the basis of his Outsiders published in 1963. Labelling theory claims that deviance and conformity results not so much from what people do but from how others respond to the actions, it highlights social responses to crime and deviance. The foundations for this view of deviance are said to have to have been first established by Lement, (1951) and were subsequently developed by Becker, (1963). The labelling theory has subsequently become a dominant example in the explanation of deviance.The labelling theory is constituted by the assumption that deviant behaviour is to be seen not simply as the violation of a norm but as any behaviour which is successfully defined or labeled as deviant....

Words: 2717 - Pages: 11

Free Essay

Conflict Analysis and Resolution

...Subject: Conflict Analysis and Resolution Assignment: Based on conflict theory, discuss why intra and inter party unity in Kenya seems elusive Discussion: Conflict within and between Rural and Urban populations in Kenya. There is no peace within (intra) and between (inter) rural and urban populations in Kenyan. Within the discussions of this paper, rural populations will refer to persons living in geographic areas away from towns and cities with their characteristic lack of social amenities and infrastructural development. The urban population on the contrary refers to persons inhabiting towns and cities with benefits of improved social amenities and developed infrastructure. Conflict refers to a “peaceless” coexistence within a society. Lewis Coser (1913-2003) defines conflict as “a struggle over values and claims to scarce status, power and resources in which the aims of the opponents are to neutralize, injure, or eliminate their rivals.” He argued that intergroups and intragroups conflicts are part of social life defining relationships but not necessarily resulting in instability. Through conflict society can attain social change, come up with outstanding innovations and strengthen central powers in times of war. The conflict theory explains causes of conflict; its containment and potential modes of resolving these conflicts. The human race has experienced different forms of conflict that manifest in both physical and psycho-emotional forms. The conceptual...

Words: 3906 - Pages: 16

Free Essay

Every Encounter Matters

...A fascinating and powerful narrative, “Recitatif” by Toni Morrison, tells the story of two girls, Twyla and Roberta, who share quite a complicated relationship. From the time they meet at St. Bonaventure, an orphanage, at the tender age of eight to when they become adults and start leading lives of their own, they are plagued by their racial, social, and economical differences. One of the most interesting aspects of the short story is the symbolism of Maggie, a disabled woman who works at the orphanage, and the tremendous impact she has on Twyla and Roberta. Numerous critics have analyzed the portrayal of Maggie in the story, and have come to some varied conclusions. In my opinion, as Twyla and Roberta are reunited with one another through the course of their lives, they slowly begin to see and accept that Maggie is a reflection of their mothers, and – to a larger extent – also themselves. The issues explored in “Recitatif” resonate with many readers on many different levels and, in effect, much has been written and discussed about it. This is largely due to the fact that Morrison has left a lot open to the reader for interpretation. “Revised Memories and Colliding Identities: Absence and Presence in Morrison’s ‘Recitatif’ and Viramontes’s ‘Tears on My Pillow’” by Helane Adams Androne is a very focused critical piece that argues that both central characters have suffer from strained relationships. "Transfiguring Aesthetics: Conflation, Identity Denial, and Transference in “Passing...

Words: 2360 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Literature

...contradictions within literary works. This is appropriate because Marxism was originally formulated to analyze just such tensions and contradictions within society. Marxist literary critics also see literature as intimately linked to social power, and thus their analysis of literature is linked to larger social questions. Since Marxism is a belief system which can be used to analyze society at the grandest or most detailed level, Marxist literary criticism is ultimately part of a much larger effort to uncover the inner workings of society 1.      Title of the Book – The Great Gatsby:  Gatsby became rich because, most probably Cody – the owner of the yatch, left him money but at the same time he is was committed to earning money at an early stage in his life. And the adjective Great added to the word noun, accounts for Fitzgerald reason why a man could be called a great that is he struggled hard to achieve the love of his life by trying to raise his stature. The word “Great” is added to emphasize the fact that he rose from rags to riches, and this fact should be respected and valued. Nick: “I suppose he'd had the name ready for a long time, even then. His parents were shiftless and unsuccessful farm people--his imagination had never really accepted them as his parents at all. The truth was that Jay Gatsby, of West Egg, Long Island, sprang from his Platonic conception of himself. He was a son of God--a phrase which, if it means anything, means just that--and he must be about His Father's...

Words: 4198 - Pages: 17

Premium Essay

United Nations in the Next Century

...UN : THE NEXT CENTURY CHAPTER - 1 : INTRODUCTION “More than ever before in human history, we share a common destiny. We can master it only if we face it together. And that is why we have the United Nations” - Kofi Annan 1. The United Nations officially came into existence on 24 October 1945, when the UN Charter had been ratified by a majority of the original 51 Member States. The day is now celebrated each year around the world as United Nations Day. 2. The purpose of the United Nations is to bring all nations of the world together to work for peace and development, based on the principles of justice, human dignity and the well-being of all people. It affords the opportunity for countries to balance global interdependence and national interests when addressing international problems. 3. There are currently 192 Members of the United Nations. They meet in the General Assembly, which is the closest thing to a world parliament. Each country, large or small, rich or poor, has a single vote, however, none of the decisions taken by the Assembly are binding. Nevertheless, the Assembly's decisions become resolutions that carry the weight of world governmental opinion. 4 he United Nations Headquarters is in New York City but the land and buildings are international territory. The United Nations has its own flag, its own post office and its own postage stamps. Six official languages are used at the United Nations - Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian...

Words: 1948 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Paradise of the Blind

...beautiful journey through a Vietnam landscape and culture. Duong Thu Huong impresses and captivates the reader with her ability to evoke the colours, the foods, the smells, and the age-old rituals of her country. The novel’s plot revolves around Hang, a young woman forced to grow up too fast in the slums of Hanoi and the turbulence of modern Vietnam. Duong Thu Huong brilliantly captures Hang's rebellious attitude towards her mother and the despair and loneliness of her search for self identity. On the other hand Hang’s mother is seen watching powerless, as her life is shattered by a fanatical political campaign led by her own brother. And there is the mysterious Aunt Tam, who is wealthy and bitter in equal parts and seeks to pass on both to her niece, Hang. Throughout the text we find symbolism of food. A symbol is an object, image, or action that is conventionally understood to represent something else. Food is particularly powerful as a symbol because it is associated to everyday life. Food fulfils physical as well as emotional and psychological needs; it may be intentionally utilized as a symbol in Paradise of the Blind. Since food engages all the senses, it tends to evoke strong sensory and emotive as well as cognitive associations. This range of association adds to the potential symbolic power of food in the text. In paradise of the Blind Food represents social distinctions and also implementation of Russia embodies patriarchal society. Food symbolises the financial fluctuations...

Words: 785 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

The Self-Respect of Nations

...most prestigious country in its neighborhood. Botswana, considerably the richest black state in Africa, even used its adversity during a drought to make itself still richer, but had a unified proud country pulling with it. Recently, we have been reading with great interest the debate in the Philippine press-- the most substantive debate on foreign policy we have seen here-- on how to deal with China. But we are bothered by a few things. Let’s get some facts straight first. The Philippines is not a ‘small’ country and it is not a ‘powerless’ country. It’s going beyond even being a middle-sized country as it hits the 100million mark. In all respects, China is bigger, richer, and far more militarily powerful. So? What else is new? Throughout history, smaller countries have had to find ways of dealing with stronger ones. The only thing the smaller country must never do is make a big deal about how powerless it is for by such it becomes far weaker, even pathetic, in the eyes of the stronger. How then should the smaller power act? There are some old shoes to use. Of course, one constantly reiterates the sovereign equality of nations. It’s a bit meaningless if one is talking about navies, but it has a basis in...

Words: 962 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Ged 216 Sociology Unit Exam 3

...passing episode of deviance that has little effect on the person’s self-concept. d. the experience of deviance early in life. 2. His friends begin to criticize Marco as a “juice-head,” pushing him out of their social circle. Marco begins to drink even more, becomes bitter, and joins a new group of friends who also are heavy drinkers. According to Lemert, Marco’s situation illustrates a. the onset of primary deviance. b. the onset of secondary deviance. c. the formation of a deviant subculture. d. the onset of retreatism. 3. What concept did Erving Goffman use to refer to a powerful and negative label that greatly changes a person’s self-concept and social identity? a. a deviant ritual b. a degradation ceremony c. a secondary identity d. stigma 4. The concept “retrospective labeling” refers to the process of a. interpreting someone’s past consistent with present deviance. b. defining someone as deviant for things done long before. c. criminal adults encouraging their children to become deviant. d. predicting someone’s future based on past deviant acts. 5. Thomas Szasz made the controversial assertion that a. deviance is only what people label as deviant. b. most people in the United States will become insane for some period during their lives. c. mental illness is a myth so that “insanity” is only “differences” that bother other people. d. our society does not do nearly enough to treat the mentally ill. 6. An example of the “medicalization of deviance”...

Words: 1112 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Student

...studies. Individuals with an increased sense of power advocated more severe punishments for transgressors than did those with a diminished sense of power. Further, moral clarity mediated the link between power and severity of punishment. We discuss the implications of these findings for managers in organizations and researchers interested in punitive reactions to moral transgressions. Ethical standards of professional conduct often are implicit or tacitly held (Flynn & Wiltermuth, 2010; Haidt, 2001; Turiel, 2002), making it difficult for members of organizations to know which types of behavior are permissible and which are not (Treviño, 1986). Although many employees can and do seek guidance on moral matters from colleagues (Treviño, 1990), the advice they receive often varies according to whom they ask. Coworkers can send mixed signals about what constitutes morally appropriate behavior. Indeed, the viewpoints expressed by top management frequently differ from those expressed by immediate supervisors, close peers, or even an organization’s formal code of conduct (Jones & Ryan, 1997; Tenbrunsel, Smith-Crowe, & Umphress, 2003). Given this ambiguity surrounding ethical standards in the workplace, it may seem prudent for managers to refrain from punishing others harshly for their moral transgressions. When managers are...

Words: 14855 - Pages: 60

Premium Essay

Power and Discrimination

...Power and Discrimination Assignment Introduction Stereotypical imagery and prejudice are biases, which function together in creating as well as maintaining social inequality. Prejudice can be described as personal feelings and attitudes that individuals have regarding other group members. On the other hand, stereotypes can be defined as beliefs regarding a group including a description of an individual, their abilities as well as their behaviour. Therefore, stereotypes cognitively represent how people are similar to other and their differences towards other groups. ‘Individuals can be aware of stereotypes and have cognitive representations of their beliefs without endorsing such stereotypes, without prejudice feelings as well as without having a belief that stereotypes can affect their behaviour and judgement’ (Charnley et al 2009: 195). Stereotyping as well as prejudice are considered as an adaptive processes product, which simplifies complex world towards enabling individuals to apply cognitive resources towards various tasks. Nevertheless, despite the function served by cognitively adaptive processes by use of mental shortcuts to make decisions regarding other people can result in serious negative outcomes (Smith 2008). The horrifying mistreatment of people in history including that of African American, homosexuals, people with disabilities, has been the main impulsion for prejudice as well as stereotypes study. Therefore, the original experiments and ideas are concerned...

Words: 3153 - Pages: 13

Free Essay

Philospphyy

...of a higher rank. Call themselves the truthful.esthlos means the one who is, who possesses reality, who is true. Becomes the catchword of the aristocratic and feel like it distinguishes them from the common “lying” man. • *Origin of morality is power* • Justice is a product of power. It puts order in place/creates laws/preserves power so it continues. There isn’t universal justice. • Life is understood as the desire for power. • Nietzsche believes there have been two types of moralities: o The first morality- aristocratic morality-moral reality  The “good” are the few. They possess reality. They have power, strength, victory, self-affirming, freedom, possessors of truth, active. They have a healthier expression of life. More beautiful. They look down upon and despise the “bad”  The noble human beings live with himself in confidence and openness  The “bad” are the many. They are lower in class, weak, simple, restricted, lacking, degenerate, oppressed, plotting, hating, lying, and passive. They will eventually gain power which leads to Nietzsche’s slave morality.  The priests are the leaders of this “bad” slave morality. Priests are the most powerless. Out of their powerlessness their hate grows into something most spiritual and poisonous. The truly great haters in the world have always been priests.  The miserable alone are the good, the poor, powerless, lowly alone are the good; the suffering, deprived, sick, ugly are also the only pious, the only blessed in God...

Words: 3180 - Pages: 13