Rachel Carson's work celebrated the wonder and beauty of the natural world. Informing all of her work was the idea that, although human beings are part nature, we are distinguished by our power to alter it—in some cases irreversibly. This was becoming abundantly clear to her in the alarming increase in the use of pesticides following the end of World War II. There were reports of livestock found dead in their fields. There was well-documented and widespread damage to wildlife; poisoned birds were literally falling from the sky. "By acquiescing in an act that can cause such suffering to a living creature," Carson wrote in Silent Spring, "who among us is not diminished as a human being?"
Compare the bolded quote by Rachel Carson with the actions of Schindler in Schindler's List. (250 words)
All of us are a bystander at some point in our lives. People are afraid to stand up for what is right to make a change. However, there are some people that do take a stand for what is right. Those few people don’t just sit there and watch as terrible things happen, they make a difference. Examples of a few of those people are Rachel Carson and Oskar Schindler. Their acts for change happened around the same time period, and they both made a large difference in peoples lives. Rachel’s actions caused for a major law change in the U.S. Her actions caused president Kennedy to immediately stop the spread of the pesticides that were killing livestock and birds. She was witnessing the inhumane actions that were being done all around her and she stood up for change because it was wrong. Her actions are a lot alike to the actions that Oskar Schindler took. He stood up against the brutality all around him. Schindler took different actions to stand up, but he still accomplished something major. Schindler saved over a thousand lives during the Holocaust. However, Rachel was very open and forward about her fight for change, Schindler was very sneaky. He had to be to protect his life. Rachel had free speech, she was able to say what she wanted. If anyone knew what Schindler was doing, he would of bee arrested or killed.. Both of them didn’t care if they got recognition for their accomplishment, they just wanted a change for the greater good. If you stand there, nothing will change. If you see something happening that is wrong, you should try to make it right. Doing nothing and being a bystander is just bad as the people in the wrong.
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ReplyDeleteThis quote can direct straight to Schindler and his decisions. Schindler lived his life for himself, all he cared about was booze, women, and being powerful, he didn’t care about what was happening around the world or in his country because that didn’t involve him. Schindler was aware of the war, and what was happening to the Jews but for a long time he just sat back and watched, he focused on making money and climbing up the ladder, while people all around him were suffering he stood on the side lines, like it was okay. Only when the conditions started getting hideous did Schindler step in, up until that point hundreds of thousands of Jews had been murdered or used as free workers, like in Schindler’s case, when he took 1,300 Jews to work in his factory for nothing. When Schindler decided to actually do something about what he was seeing, it was almost too late, though the Jews continued to work for him, Schindler supplied them with food and medical supplies, in the end he saved 1,300 Jews while millions of other died. When Schindler was focusing on himself, he could of been helping out the Jewish people in his country, like many people Schindler didn’t stand up until conditions got terrible. Though it would have been nearly impossible to stop what happened to the Jews, Schindler and many other humans are too blame, he knew exactly what was happening and didn’t take the time to actually realize the harm. If Schindler was concerned about something other than himself he could of potentially save thousands more Jewish people, though what he did was amazing, it just goes to show that until a situation gets serious human beings often sit back and watch, when they could be making a difference.
ReplyDeleteRachel Carson was very active for her passion. She cared much for the death of many animals due to the use of DDT. She rallied for the banishment of DDT, talked to the government, and really made a difference. The use of DDT was eventually banned, and she is a major cause for this success. In many ways, her story is the same as Oskar Schindler. Schindler put his life on the line to save the lives of 1,300 Jewish men, women, and children. He faced death if he was caught. He did not stand by and watch as millions were being murdered for absolutely no reason. Both stories are similar in nature, because both tried to make a difference, and succeeded. By acquiescing in an act that can cause such suffering to a living creature, who among us is not diminished as a human being?" This quote is powerful in explaining these two remarkable stories. While standing by and doing nothing in the name of what’s right, we lose our humanity. Both of these people did what was right, for the safety and preservation of life. Whether its animals dying because of man made chemicals, or human beings being slaughtered in a mass genocide, both of their causes were noble. They both stood up and changed things for the better. These people are truly heroes.
ReplyDeleteRachel Carson is stating that giving in and going along with the crowd without thinking critically makes a person less of a human being. I think that what defines intelligence is the ability to think with reason, criticism, and individuality. Sometimes people feel anger and hatred toward people who bully others or act as bystanders, but in a way I feel sad for them. It is the same for people who watch or listen to what others like, just because it’s popular. People are thinking less and less for themselves, and they will never find true happiness through music and art because they don’t take the time to discover it. Oskar Schindler found out that he could make a difference and save lives by thinking for himself and doing what he thought was right.
ReplyDeleteSchindler learned that human lives are worth more than money and status, and he made them his priority. It would be difficult to decide, in time of war, what is more important: hiding Jewish friends who are being hunted and risking your own family’s safety, or going along with the Nazis and turning over Jews who are trying to escape. The majority of people chose the latter, and they had to live with their decisions for the rest of their lives. Whether or not a person acted as a humanitarian during WWII, they all reflected on their decisions as they grew old; thinking of ways in which they could have done more and what they could have changed. Oskar Schindler did a great deal to help as many people as he could, and was able to be a good human being during the war.
Osckar Shindler’s actions are a perfect example of the quotes said by Rachel Carson. Carson speaks of how we as humans can just sit by and watch awful things happen to the world. They feel they cannot change a thing and have no control, so they remain silent. Schindler did what nobody in Germany had the courage to do. He opened a factory for the Jews to work in. The factories were a save haven for the Jews he hired. He claimed his workers were all “very skilled” and essential to the production of his faulty ammunition. Hiring women, children, and seniors. He spent a lot of his money on these factories, and also in bribes to the Nazi’s.
ReplyDeleteHe had his flaws, but was a great man. He saved over 1000 Jews from the brutality and murder of the Holocaust. Instead of participating in the murder of the Jews, he did what he felt was right. Knowing he could easily be killed for going against Hitler, he still stuck to what he felt was right.
Instead of remaining a spectator of the Holocaust, Oskcar Shindler did what he could to save as many people as possible. Thanks to him there are now over 6000 descendants of his Jews. He saved a small portion of the Jews, but the ones he saved, and their descendants will always thank, and appreciate him for what he did.
- Andrea T
The power of being an individual is one of the most powerful aspects of life; people have their own set of morals that come from within a person. Making decisions is a part of everyday life; people everyday chooses whether to do the right thing or not. According to Rachel Carson allowing one self to admit to defeat makes one less of a person. The underlining theme in the book Silent Spring is the negative effect humans have on the natural world. Rachel Carson and Oskar Schindler both made the choice to morally to think of others in their time of need. They both see the harmful and negative effects of the humans around them and both choose to take a stand in order to help. Oskar Schindler saw what the German soldiers were doing to the Jews and became repulsed by the sight of the heinous crime; in order to be a true man that he became he spent every last dollar on rescuing the Jewish people. When Rachel’s friend was killed by the DDT in insecticides she took it upon herself to get to the bottom of the cause. The result of her investigation was Silent Spring, which brought environmental concerns to an unprecedented portion of the American public. She had stepped up when no one else would to warn the population of America about what the government is truly spraying on their plants. “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” ~Dr. Seuss do not be afraid to step out and not conform to what everyone else thinks or believes is right. Oskar and Rachel stepped out of their own comfort zone and ended up saving lives because of the choices they have made.
ReplyDeleteWhen people see or hear about bad things happening in the world they usually just let it slide, or chose not to listen to it, or to believe it. We all want to believe that everything is good in the world, and that everything will be okay. We want to believe that the world we live in is a good and safe place. Deep down we all know what kind of world we are living in. We live in a world where things like war and pollution are just shoved under the rug because not many people want to do anything about it. Not many people will take a bad issue in the world, and try to fix it and make the world a better place. We all become bystanders, and we sit back and either let others do these bad things in our world, or we wait for someone else to deal with the issue. However there are people in the world who are willing to make a difference. Oskar Schindler, and Rachel Carson were some of those people. They both made changes in the world. They both saw something bad happening and took charge. Rachel Carson’s quote "By acquiescing in an act that can cause such suffering to a living creature, who among us is not diminished as a human being?" Can relate directly to what Schindler accomplished. Schindler knew that it wasn’t fair for the Jewish people in the holocaust. He knew it was wrong, so he did what he could and took action. Schindler could have been arrested, or killed for what he did, but he didn’t care. He knew he was doing something good, and standing up for what he believed in, and what was right. Schindler saved over 1000 Jewish people because of his factories, and if he had never stood up for what was right that many more people could have died in the holocaust. It is people like Rachel Carson and Oskar Schindler who make this world a better place. It is the people that stand up for what they believe in and don’t just sit around and wait for someone else to take action for them.
ReplyDeleteWhen people hear horrible news through television, radio and other media, it is basic instinct to ignore it or not believe it. We have trouble understanding and accepting things that may not be "happy" or "nice". Rachel Carson pointed this out in her book Silent Spring. It is about how people just stand by in a time of crisis and does not take rightful action. Rachel, unlike her fellow humans, took a stand with amazing results. She turned attention to the environmental problems caused by synthetic pesticides. This resulted in complete denial by chemical companies, but eventually led to a nationwide ban on DDT and other pesticides. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously by President Jimmy Carter, although she did not protest for recognition. She did what was right. What any other rightful human should have done. In this way, Rachel had something greatly in common with Oskar Schindler. He went against his fellow Germans and stood up for the Jews during the Holocaust. He saved thirteen hundred Jewish people from being exterminated over the span of six years. He took action when nobody else would. He was determined to save as many people as he could and he went to great lengths to do it. He lost all of his money because he was bribing others to protect his Jews from getting deported or out of difficult situations. He risked his life and kept his secret for six years. If the Germans had found out what he had been doing, he would have been arrested and most likely killed. This makes you wonder why someone like Oskar Schindler, a man deeply respected by his fellow Germans, went against the belief system of the Nazi’s and risked everything to save people he was supposed to hate. He knew that diminishing the Jewish people was completely wrong and utterly repulsive. Oskar Schindler and Rachel Carson were two of the most honest, strong, and brave human beings of their time, each standing up to do what was right.
ReplyDeleteWhat Rachel Carson is basically saying is that being a bystander to the suffering of a living creature, makes you less of a human being. I feel this partly relates to Schindler’s actions. He did standby for a while near the beginning of the holocaust, hoping the situation would change on it’s own. But once he realized it wasn’t, he did what he could. Sometimes there’s not a lot we can do. Sometimes we have to wait and see what happens first, by just jumping in right away, you may only make the situation worse. And sometimes there’s nothing you can do at all. I feel if there’s something you can do to make a difference, but decide not to, then that is what really makes one less of a human being. When people stand up and try to make a change, it takes a lot of courage. Sometimes it is even dangerous. In Schindler’s case, it was very dangerous, deadly even. I feel Rachel’s statement was made hastily, and in the heat of the moment when she was upset about the DDT incidents. I don’t think she realized that sometimes people want to do something, help, make a change; but they can’t. Sometimes it’s for their own safety; sometimes it’s literally impossible due to the situations. There also becomes a time where you almost have to learn to pick your battles. There is so much darkness and suffering in this world. It would be impossible for someone to do something about every single incident of suffering they witnessed. It depends on each person to decide how much of an attempt he or she make to make a change is enough; some people can only take so much. Rachel was clearly passionate about the DDT incidents, but not even she can stand up and make a difference in every case of suffering.
ReplyDeleteIndividuals play the most important role in society. Most of us are taught good morals and values at a young age. We are also taught right from wrong when we are children, so why is it so hard for adults to continue practicing what they have been raised to believe? Some people may believe, and others may pretend they believe, that it is okay to be a bystander. Rachel Carson makes an extremely valid and valuable point which strongly relates to the actions of Oskar Schindler. Carson is trying to explain that, by standing by as human beings and watching or causing other human beings to suffer, we are not practicing humane acts in which we are taught. Oskar Schindler’s glamorous life consisted of women, money and booze. He was the unlikeliest of role models. Somewhere along Oskar’s quest for riches, something changed. He had ended up spending everything he had made on keeping 1,300 Jewish men and women alive. Through bribery, black marketeering and lies, Oskar Schindler defeated the system and referred to his Jewish workers as “his children”. Oskar Schindler relates to Rachel Carson’s quote as he was a bystander for quite some time, until everything changed and he realized that what was happening was unfair and inhumane. He wanted to make a difference and save the lives of as many Jew’s as he could. That, he did. Us, as members of society, should learn from the actions of this man and realize that it only takes one person to make a difference in the world.
ReplyDelete"By acquiescing in an act that can cause such suffering to a living creature, who among us is not diminished as a human being?" - Carson
ReplyDeleteAcquiescing is the act to comply, with no protest. Which is like what Schindler did in Schindler’s List. The Holocaust was a terrible event, in which millons were killed. A lot of the people who were forced to work for the Nazi side complied with no protest against killing Jews, or they’d get themselves killed. What Schindler did was acquiescing because he was "going along" with the Nazis, and acting like he agreed with what they were doing. He didn’t protest the situation or voice his real feelings on the matter, even though he didn’t agree with what was going down. He did however, go against them behind their backs, doing what he really thought was right, by saving the Jews. Although he was diminishing "his" Jews by making them slave for him at his factory, it was the only way he could actually save them, especially without being found out about by the Nazis. As well despite the fact they were acting as factory slaves, he kept "his" Jews fed and healthy. He did everything in his power to keep "his" Jews well and alive. Schindler was one of those people who didn’t just stand there, letting the horrific events of the Holocaust pass on by him. He made a stand for 1,300 people, and with that he made a huge difference. His heroic actions saved 1,300 peoples lives.
Many of us are taught when we are young that if we stand idle during a crime, we are almost as guilty as the person who committed it. But somewhere on the long path to maturity, this sense of justice is dimmed, and extinguished within us. Why should we have to take up arms against inhumanity when it is other’s job to do so? We grow comfortable with the belief that our government and law force will protect us, but what happens when this is no longer true? When the people who were suppose to protect us threaten our lives or the lives of our neighbours? It is then our moral duty to take action, or face losing our sense of humanity. In Rachel Carson’s quote, she asks how could anyone who witnesses an incredibly inhumane act turn their head and do nothing, and still keep their decency. In Rachel’s life her ultimate goal was to protect this Earth from the harmful pesticides being spread all around her. She couldn’t understand how anyone could be aware of the deadly effects it had on the environment, and still not do anything to stop it. Obviously it takes a very special kind of person to confront such a huge evil. Oskar Schindler was that kind of person. He stood against what seemed an unstoppable force of violence, against his own government, and saved 1,300 people’s lives. We now have to ask our selves if we would be willing to do what Rachel Carson and Oskar Schindler did. Would we be able stand up for ourselves and others, even if what is threatening us is what we’ve been taught to trust?
ReplyDeleteRachel Carson's quote is a tribute to how we, as human beings, simply sit back and avoid sticking our noses into conflict. We somehow fear that if we do, no good will come out of it for us. Instead we're the bystanders, which Carson's quote seems to so adamantly address. In the beginning, Oskar Schindler did just that; He followed orders because his own life was at stake, acting as if he agreed entirely with what he was doing. And perhaps for awhile, we really did. Eventually however, he began to realise that he couldn't just sit by, disgracing human beings of all backgrounds, and went against Hitler's orders to save the Jewish people working in his factory. Working stealthily behind their backs he succeeded, and as a result saved over a thousand lives, lives that will live on for generations thanks to his nobility. Schindler stood to do something instead of being the fearful bystander, and as a result his name will be praised by generations of to come. If people could do this everyday, the world would undoubtedly be a much better place. Rachel Carson and Oskar Schindler both rose up to be something and do something positive, and have both had significant impact on several lives. Even if it were just one, they would have done their job well.
ReplyDeleteI believe the point that Rachel Carson was making in her quote was that by standing back and being ignorant to the horrible things that people are capable of doing, then we ourselves are as much to blame so those who are directly doing harm. This applies to every single issue in life, no matter how big or small. Carson stepped up when she saw the damage that people were having on our planet, when she saw the millions of wild life dying for no reason, when she saw something that so many others decided not to see. She made a difference just by deciding that she would not stand by and let injustice take place. Which is exactly what Oskar Schindler did as well. He saw an opportunity to make a difference, to stand up and decide that he would not just watch so many people die because of there beliefs. The only difference between these two role models is not the huge impact that they both had, but the way in which they had that impact. Carson made her mark by raising awareness and educating people on harmful affects of these chemicals. While on the other hand Schindler was secretive, and saved lives by working behind the curtains. So many people were wrapped up in the evil that the Nazi party was feeding the people of Germany, that being secretive was the only way Schindler could help so many Jewish families. Both of these people are role models, and like I said before, if everybody were more like these leaders and stood up for what they believed in then there would be a lot more movement on the issues that people care about. Everything from the bully in school to an injustice in our governments would be dealt with. I believe that everybody should make a point to become more like these role models. No matter how the saying going, ignorance is not bliss, ignorance is the root to all problems.
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