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Read the best books first, or you may not have a chance to read them at all. ~ Henry David Thoreau ~
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5 comments:
If you were Marlow, what would you do after returning to civilization? Continue your career as a sailor, or work to fix the conditions in Africa?
Excellent question! There are so many elements to this question, and the one that strikes me is the social one. Back then, societies view of Africans was different than today. We saw this in the book. They were treated as sub-human. Of course there were missionaries that ministered in Africa, and viewed them as equals, but this was rare. The long history of prejudice and fear still reigned in Europe and dictated the attitude felt towards not only Africans, but Asians, and native South and North Americans. This prejudice was re-enforced by all elements of society, including political and even religious. One would grow up hearing ministers preach sermons on the merits of slavery and the fact that Blacks NEEDED to be enslaved. Remember talking about Paternalism when we read Uncle Tom’s Cabin? Well Paternalism was not just an American idea, it was widespread in Europe as well. It is difficult for us to understand this, living in the 21st century, but there are things we do as society today, that possibly a hundred years from now, people will have a hard time understanding. This is not to excuse them in any way, but we can’t judge those in the past too harshly.
Anyway, back to your question about what I would do. I would like to think that I would do the right thing, but I’m not sure. When faced with such a dire situation, such great numbers of people being victimized, and people of your race not caring, it would be difficult to not be discouraged. The fact of the matter is, we DO NOT need to put ourselves in Marlow’s shoes. Because what was going on then, is exactly what is going on today. I hope you read that article on slavery that I posted a link to. There are more slaves living in our world today, than in any other time in modern history. What am I doing about it? Well nothing. I give money to an organization called International Justice Mission that works to free slaves (check them out at www.ijm.org) but I could do more. For a few years now, I have wanted to go to Africa and work in an orphanage, and Jimmy and I talked about doing that just this weekend. I would also like to adopt from Africa like my sister-in-law and her husband did. I admit I become discouraged when I look at the huge scale that this problem is, but I still want to do my part. I look at teaching as a way to help. I can help students become more aware of what is going on in the world around them by studying history. Awareness creates a desire to initiate change. It always surprises me that while studying the past, one is forced to examine the present. Isn’t it amazing that we have yet to learn about something in the past, that is not still affecting us today?
Have I even answered your question yet? Probably not because I really don’t have an answer. After high school I went to Nepal, one of the ten poorest countries in the world. I saw people living in conditions I didn’t think were livable. I saw incredible suffering and injustice. Have I gone back and changed anything? No. Admitting that is very hard. I hope one day I can say that I have.
Please tell me what you think. Did you read the article? Did you know about the problem of modern day slavery? What would you do if you were Marlow?
I don't believe I read that article you mentioned. Is it posted on this website?
I did know that modern slavery is a major problem. When you look at the major locations where slavery flourishes, we see poverty and a general lack of protection for the citizens. The common person is exploited to the benefit of the powerful. Kind of like with Communism; where the government exploited the people for its greater gain because they held the playing cards. To put it generally it appears the greedy and wealthy slave traders can simply snatch away innocent people without an efficient organized opposition force negating their criminal activities. In this country we have laws that attempt to protect human rights. What makes these laws effective is because they are enforced. Many countries have no such laws, and if so are not enforced to the degree necessary. Now everyone believes that Asians, Blacks, Indians etc. all have the same human qualities as whites; the only difference being outward appearance. Society in general accepts the fact that all races are equal. It seems to me a that now the problem is more about enforcing human rights. What Marlow was dealing with was a general feeling of blacks being under whites. His problem was not military enforcement, but rampant socal injustice.
What Marlow was facing was a little different because as you pointed out society then looked upon races not white as below them. If I had been Marlow I would have attempted to have a meeting with the manager(s) of the trading company(s)to point out the dismal conditions the natives were forced to work and live under.
This is a very interesting topic and it would make a good essay question.
Thank you for responding Daniel. I posted the article link when I responded to the comprehension questions. But here it is again, http://www.infoplease.com/spot/slavery1.html
It describes the different types of slavery around the world. Don't forget though, that there are slaves in America, and particularly in California. San Francisco is known for its sex slaves. Women kidnapped from Asia and forced into prostitution in America. My brother, for his senior project in Architecture, is designing a home for women who have been rescued. He has done a ton of research about the problem, and it is much larger than you would ever imagine. You are right that racism is not so much a factor in our world. But around the world that is not the case. Even traveling in the Southern states you can see it. Family friends of ours moved to George from California, they are white, but they have an adopted Black son. White Christians would not befriend them because of their son. Their son was ostracized at the Christian school he went to, because he was Black. In Africa there is still a huge race problem. Arabs enslave Blacks because they think it is their right. The above article speaks about this. India still functions on a caste system, where people are treated as slaves because of their last name. When I was in Nepal, which has the same caste system, the first thing people wanted to know about me was my last name. It was before I was married, so it was Berg, and they let me know that I would be in the lowest caste. My friend's name, put her in the highest caste. Of course a caste system is a little different than racism, but at the root it is the same because the result is the same - people are treated differently for reasons beyond their control.
You are right, we must fight for human rights, but human rights will not be granted, until people view each other as equals. This would have made a great essay question! But I'm saving the "what would you have done" question for Of Mice and Men. So now you just got a clue as to what that will be:) I really enjoy hearing what you have to say about this stuff. Keep up the good work!!!
Would you say that the Heart of Darkness is a racist book? Are you able to give two examples of why you feel like that?
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