ABSENT MARCH 2, 2012 - MAKE UP BLOG POST
Why does genocide happen?
Many of those across the world do not understand genocide; what it is, why, or how it happens. It is simple to say that it's just "killing off a race", "for no reason", "because they're powerful enough to get away with it, everyone is scared to stop them". Beneath the simplicity, there is much more to genocide. Not only is genocide "killing off a race for no reason", but genocide is often motivated by animosity for another race or culture, instead of ignoring the beliefs that are not agreed with, the opposing side wishes to rid the world of that group of people. I believe that genocide happens as a result of a desire of power and control, and inflicting beliefs or ideas on others so that everybody thinks the same.
What will it take to prevent genocide?
Genocide is always going to happen - realistically speaking. To help prevent genocide, the world can take actions to promote peace. I rather not preach about world peace, but if nobody contributed to negativity, discrimination, or stereotyping, the world would be a much more accepting place. In simpler terms, I think that the world acts like children. We have enemies and allies, we have gossipers and sneaky secrets, and then those kids your mother warned you about: the kids who misbehave. As there isn't very much we can do about the individuals who decide to act against every society and misbehave, what we can do is tend to everyone else. It's easier said than done, but many genocides could be prevented if people could accept that everyone has different beliefs and just not become involved with what they disagree with. In Nathan Fuller's blog post about the 9/11 Attacks, he highlights many epiphonal points regarding this subject, and how the leaders of this genocide disagree with the American way of life and our "acts against humanity". As a result of being allies with other countries who also had enemies, America was held accountable, served "revenge", and blamed for its allies actions. Had the allies not had any enemies, much of the world would be at peace, and many conflicts would be at rest.
What kind of genocides happen today?
Though many governments in countries try to structure its people, it's also nearly impossible at the same time. People have the idea etched in their minds that "it's only illegal if you get caught". Regardless of any laws, or lack thereof, genocides still happen today. The stronger the leader becomes, the less the victims can do to prevent further damage or stop the genocide all together. In Grant Solis' research, he addresses the on-going devastation in Sudan: Darfur, where it "has claimed 400,000 lives and displaced over 2,500,000 people" and "more than one hundred people continue to die each day; five thousand die every month".
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