Question

The author argues that "We need to be on the lookout for when we, too, become 'used to' the casual oppression of others, when our everyday compassion for people different from us disappears." Can you think of examples from your own life or from your society of people getting "used to" bad treatment of others? Are there ways in which we can act to avoid repeating this kind of atrocity? (Answer on the back)

Answer 1

Example 1: Victim Blaming. When a victim was called a *****, and told that "she enjoyed it" because "she threw herself on her r*p*st".

Example 2: Victim Blaming. When a victim was blamed because she wore clothes that are "too revealing" and "turned on" her r*p*st even though she was only seven years old.

Example 3: Toxic Masculinity. A woman reports physical abuse from a man, everyone believes her and comforts her. A man reports physical abuse from a woman, no one believes him and makes fun of him.

Example 4: Toxic Masculinity. A woman cries, she's heartbroken. A man cries, he's a crybaby and weak.

Example 5: Discrimination. A man as the breadwinner of the family, he's great father and husband. A woman as the breadwinner of the family, she's weak and a show-off.

There are still lots of examples I can think of, but I'll just leave it here.

Are there ways we can do to avoid repeating this kind of atrocity?

Yes, there are ways. There have always been lots of ways, it's just that most people chose to ignore them. We can avoid these kind of atrocities by:

1. STOP VICTIM BLAMING.
2. STOP TOXIC MASCULINITY AND DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN.
3. STOP JUDGING OTHERS.
4. STOP TELLING OTHERS WHAT AND HOW THEY SHOULD ACT.
5. DON'T BE RUDE, RESPECT OTHERS!
6. DON'T SAY "Respect is not given, it is earned!". RESPECT OTHERS WHETHER OR NOT THEY "DESERVE" IT.

In short, mind your own business and stop telling others how they should act or look based on your " perfect standards". Treat others the way you want to be treated!