Question

Elie Wiesel once said that anyone who witnesses an atrocity, or an act of inhumanity, and does nothing to stop it is just as guilty as the person committing the act. Those who know and remain silent are guilty of the same offense. To stand by silently is to participate in the crime.

In a paragraph of at least 4 sentences, evaluate this statement. (Remember, evaluate means show whether it is right or wrong.) Explain why you feel the way you do, and give an example to support your feeling.

Answer 1

I believe that Wiesel’s statement is true. While the person committing an act is doing more obvious wrong, those who stand by and let it happen are justifying and allowing that atrocity. It reminds me of the poem “First they came...” by Martin Niemoller, which details how he stood by and did not speak up for those being oppressed because he was not one of them. Then, when he was oppressed, there was no one left to speak up for him. By staying quiet, he and others enabled oppression to happen and to grow, and enabling a criminal is a crime of its own.