A Debate for the Ages

Our debate on the Rwandan denocide was awesome!! It was probably one of the most excting classes we've had all year and I'm so glad I got to participate in it. I think the best part about it for me was that my group was the Red Cross! The Red Cross was the only group at the debate that wasn't at fault for anything, which meant that we basically got to lay the blame on whoever we wanted. We decided, however, that the group "worthy" of the blame was Belgium. So, we informed the rest of the organizations of this in our opening statemnent. Mr. Fielder said that we should really lay the blame on the other groups to start stirring the pot. This was fairly easy, and judging by the looks on "Belgium's" faces we had done just that. What was even funny was that half the time, groups wouldn't call on us to let it talk because we did B
nothing wrong and they were all probably just scared or our straightforwardness and they knew we were going to take it to em.

I hope we get to do this again. Next time I think it would be more interesting if my group was one of the groups at fault. It would be more difficult though, I can imagine. But I think I could handle it beacause I'm very comforthale in these type of debate type situations.

Now that I’ve had a chance to go through this process of researching the genocide and participating in the debate, I can say that, beyond a doubt, if anyone was at fault for the genocide, it was Belgium. Belgium not only “set up” the genocide, but they didn’t even send any troops back in to help end the genocide! But, they had absolutely no problem in calling on the U.S. for help!

I will say, however, that just because Belgium started this whole mess doesn't mean it was destined to happen from the beginning. For example, without the Exodus of the Tutsi's, this may not have happened. Without the murder of a Hutu extremist leader, this may not have happened. About 15 things had to go horribly wrong for this tradegy to happen, and they all did.

No matter how "unfortunate" or "bad" or "sad" this may be, we learn about these things because history repeats itself. We need to learn from this time in history and make sure it doesnt happen again.

"The American Scholar"

Emerson's argument in "The American Scholar" holds true for only some people in our country; however, the bottom line is that America gives people the choice to be either a specialist or to have a larger pallet of interests.

One reason Emerson's argument still holds true today is the example of my mom's husband, Kevin. He used to own a Hungry Howies Pizza in Monroe. One day he decided to move me, my mom and my brother out to Brooklyn, MI. Here he started a horse and cattle ranch. His pizza business was very successful, despite a poor location, which was proven when the next owner took over and went bankrupt. His ranch is also fairly successful, and it is a very good addition to my mom, who works as a nurse anesthetist.

One prime example of why Emerson may have a valid point, is the production line worker. A phenomenal way of producing goods, but i almost EXACTLY what Emerson argues against. The production line worker does his one part, time after time, he becomes a machine, almost like a work horse. And, I agree with Emerson that it, without a doubt, it eats away at the man.