The Bad Samaritan? The David Cash Case

Based on the clip that you saw in class today and the article posted here, tell me your views about this case. What should have governed Cash's actions? To what degree should he be held responsible? Are there universal obligations for those who witness a wrong? Different rules depending on the nature of the wrong?

Bystanders and Perpetrators: Theories

Theory I: The Banality of Evil (from Hannah Arendt)

"Hilter and the Nazis were extremely skilled at using propaganda and a deliberately gradual process to make the isolation, segregation and ultimately the killing of Jews seem "normal". The Germans who carried out unspeakable crimes were ordinary people who simply accepted the conditions of their context as "normal", "unexceptional"  and "the way things are done" From  Eichmann in Jerusalem. 

Theory II: Conformity and Obedience (from Christopher Browning)

"To break ranks and step out, to adopt overtly nonconformist behavior, was simply beyond most of the men. It was easier for them to shoot. . . If the men of Reserve Battalion 101 could become killers under such circumstances, what group of men can not? From Ordinary Men

Theory III: Anti-Semitism (from Daniel Jonah Goldhagen)

Not economic hardship, not the coercive means of a totalitarian state, not the social psychological pressure, not invariable psychological propensities, but ideas about Jews that were pervasive in Germany and had been for decades, induced ordinary Germans to kill. . .systematically and without pity. From Hitler's Willing Executioners. 

in-school field trip 10/15

On 10/15,  students in my D block class will be visited by Carl Wilkens, the only American to remain in Rwanda during the 100 days of the 1994 genocide. 

Due to time constraints, this is an optional field trip for students in my A and E block. Teachers will be using their discretion in giving permission. 

We will meet in the Library Media Center. 

See you there!

info about Carl: