Links to essays: Global Youth Voices and Galileo and Paradise Road/Storybrooke for Tiff and Testing our mettle: Crucible for Peter: also clash of ideology
Essay topics and examples
SURVIVAL IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN CONFLICT
HOW WE DEAL WITH CONFLICT SHOWS US WHO WE ARE
CONFLICT IS A TEST OF CHARACTER
CONFLICT INVOLVES A CLASH OF VIEWS AND VALUES
WE GROW THROUGH CONFLICT: CONFLICT CHANGES OUR PRIORITIES
First third: straightforward examples/ anecdotes/ stories and quotes
Middle third: discussion of text/ characters and complexity
Final third; problem; contrasting examples; contradiction
Whistleblowers: In 2010, millions of Chinese parents were horrified to find that their children were drinking milk that had become mixed with toxic chemicals at fresh milk collection points. Two years later, one of the two men who exposed the practice, farmer Jiang Weisuo, was murdered in suspicious circumstances.
A few years ago, I remembered being horrified by the fate of the Chinese farmer…. I admired his stance, but was shocked that someone of such courageous principles would simply disappear.
It does make one grateful to be living in a country that is democratic and free.
Farmer Jiang Weisuo exposed the contaminated milk scandal in China that killed thousands of children in 2010. He was murdered in suspicious circumstances.
Lawrence Moepi, a principled South African auditor, was shot and killed. He had been investigating several suspected corruption cases, including a notorious arms deal.
Janie Karpinsky, revealed that Donald Rumsfield ordered the torture of prisoners at Abu Ghraib – arrested and acccused of shoplifting
Father Musala, Ugandan priest, raised the alarm about rampant sex abuse in the Catholic Church in Uganda; he was sacked and accused of being gay.
I first heard of Father Musala when I was researching “whistleblowers” for an article I was co-writing for our global magazine. Whistleblowers, we reasoned, were critical to the defence of democracy and hence to human rights.
Last year, Father Musala wrote to the Archbishop of Kampala, Cyprian Lwanga, asking him to investigate sexual abuse and warning that the issue threatened to blow up in Uganda as it had in Europe. The Archbishop accused the priest of threatening the morality of the Church. Musala said it was a “diversionary tactic”.
Shocked by the fact that he could be so brutally crucified for his principles, we held a series of public seminars and other cultural events to raise money for his campaign for freedom.
At one of the seminars we invited our own Father Greg Reynolds, who like Father Musala, also challenged the church. Whilst his life was not endangered, his stance on gay rights and women priests led to his ostracism from the church. He was the first Australian Catholic priest since Mary McKillop to be defrocked and excommunicated. During three Masses he spoke of his belief that it was God’s will to have women priests and that denying women the right was “obstructing the work of the Holy Spirit”. He stated “some things you just know in your heart, in the core of your being”. Father Reynold’s treatment clearly proved that it is almost impossible to challenge conservative, powerful institutions. Quoting Thomas Aquinas: “I would rather be excommunicated than forced to act outside my conscience.”
In Catholic belief, “marriage is a faithful, exclusive and lifelong union between one man and one woman, joined as husband and wife in an intimate partnership of life and love,” the 47-bishop committee said in a statement released
Sept. 10. “What are called ‘homosexual unions,’ because they do not express full human complementarity and because they are inherently non-procreative, cannot be given the status of marriage,” the committee said. )
(WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Administrative Committee of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has called for constitutional amendment to protect the unique social and legal status of marriage.
The problem with the whistleblower or principled defender is that such contradictions are too painful. German philosopher Hannah Arendt wrote of heroic individuals that there seems to be a compulsion to do the “right thing”.
I will never forget the plight of another brave campaigner for justice and human rights, whose final editorial was called the “the voice from the grave”. You see, the Sri Lankan journalist foreshadowed his own death.
“When finally I am killed it will be the Government that kills me, he wrote (referring to President Mahinda Rajapakse”. He hinted at the killers from within the ranks of Sri Lanka’s Government and detailed its flouting of democracy. Wickrematunge was shot in the head in Colombo by two gunmen on a motorcycle. His paper, the Sunday Leader, took an impartial line on the vicious civil war between the Singalhese and the Tamil Tigers. He suffered three attacks before the final shooting. He said that the Tamil people were “deprived of all self respect” in the military occupation of Jaffna. (2009)
Double think: A London-based psychoanalyst, Mr David Morgan, gave a talk alongside Father Greg Reynolds. He refers to a process of “doubling” or “splitting” whereby individuals hold contradictory positions to separate different selves and different loyalty structures. Not unlike what George Orwell terms “double think” – the ability to hold two contradictory thoughts at once.
He pointed out that many priests or people in a position of authority and responsibility manage to function with this process. Thus it is possible to survive and not to survive; to be involved and a bystander at the same time.
Psychologist : David Morgan… Whilst the institutions use psychological processes such as reversal and projection to evade any sense of responsibility for wrong-doing; they often use psychological tactics to insinuate that the discloser or whistleblower is the wrongdoer; as a result they may sink into depression.
The problem with the whistleblower or principled defender is that such contradictions are too painful. German philosopher Hannah Arendt wrote of heroic individuals that there seems to be a compulsion to do the “right thing”.
In 2005, as a 15 year old girl, Laxmi Nagar was vivacious and attractive. She was pursued by the 32-year old friend of her brother. After she refused an invitation of marriage, rejected, and full of hatred, he followed her one day through the streets, tapped her on the shoulder, and threw acid on her face and neck. After several operations later, Laxmi, has spent her life campaigning for women’s rights and supporting other acid victims who are seeking awareness for their plight.
Although Laxmi, will forever be burdened by pain, skin infections and self-doubts, she at least won a small victory against her attacker, who will never face charges. Rejected men are able to buy acid from the grocery store for 30 rupees. Laxmi filed a public interest petition in India’s highest court to demand that the government restrict the sale of acid. She won a landmark judgement in 2013. Now, acid is only sold if one has a special permit. She has become the face of the Stop Acid Attacks campaign which seeks to give financial and moral support to victims around the world.
Laxmi’s courage is clear. Overcoming physical and psychological scars Laxmi was determined to draw attention to the plight of victims who suffer because of men’s arrogance and their vulnerable egos. As her partner says, “I fell in love with her because of her bravery. I love people like her who are so alive and want to change the world and not just live their own life. She fought for justice despite her own ordeal.
In his poem, “No one is a loser”, Ben Okri states that those who transcend “their apparent limitations” and “embrace their marginalisation” are greater than those who have little to “transcend”. In other words, it takes courage to overcome adversity and obstacles in life. He draws attention to the fact that adversity can be a true test of the individual’s mettle.
Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo, who won the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize, refused to compromise his beliefs. He was sentenced to 11 year’s prison for exercising his international and domestic rights to free expression and for using non-violence to protest against human rights abuses carried out by the Chinese government. His wife also suffered high penalities. She was placed under house arrest, but was not accused of committing a crime.
In 1986 it was Mexico City’s turn to stage the Olympic Games, and Peter Norman represented Australia. It is often forgotten, however that Norman won the silver medal in the 200m; he was blacklisted by the Olympic Committee because of his outspoken support for fellow (African American) medallists Tommie Smith and John Carlos. Peter Norman stood on the pedestal bearing the Olympic Project for Human Rights badge, whilst Smith and Carlos raised their fists in symbolism of Black Power for racial equality. Whether we feel compelled to take a stand or remain impartial, ordinary people have the potential to defy the odds and act in extraordinary ways that can restore our faith in humanity.
WAR STORIES
Ben Quilty, the war artist whose vivid paintings of the soldiers in Afghanistan, seeks to uncover and lift the lid on their traumatised emotions and the pain and suffering the elite soldiers endure as Australian representatives. In particular, one soldier he met was traumatised by the IED bomb that killed 11 children that left him forever anxious about his own family and three children. Another soldier will always be haunted by the fact that he buried Sapper Rowan Robinson on his birthday. “It’s a remarkable experience to have on your birthday. It’s the one anniversary of every year you can’t let go of it.”
In March 2012, an American army staff sergeant civilians entered three Afghan family’s homes at 3am and began a vicious killing spree. He killed 9 children and 3 women. Relatives said he poured chemicals over their dead bodies and burned them.
“PTSD is the knowledge that you’ll never be this awesome again” is the saying going around the barracks post-Afghanistan, another tells me. Others talk about their struggle after returning from what was essentially their first trip overseas, of “coming-of-age” revelations mixed up with the experience of war. Another veteran gripes about being sent to a public clinic for his PTSD. “I’m not going to do group therapy with some idiot housewife who had a breakdown.”
Anthony McKenzie, a volunteer veterans’ advocate in south-east Victoria, explains some of these attitudes. “The military, it builds you up so your opinion of yourself is [that you’re] better than everyone else.” A lean man, McKenzie served in the first Gulf War. “After all, if you didn’t think you were bulletproof, you wouldn’t run towards danger.”
Trooper Mark Donaldson was the first Australian soldier for 40 years to receive the Victoria Cross medal – for his intrepid actions in Afghanistan. Braving an onslaught of enemy firepower, he dangerously exposed himself to enemy fire, enabling back up forces to recover the wounded soldiers. Such heroic acts show us what it is to be a true Australian. Under pressure, Donaldson had the courage of his convictions; he had the confidence in the Australian mission and was a true defender of Australian democratic values.
AFTER CONFLICT SURVIVORS ARE FOREVER SHAPED BY THEIR EXPERIENCES.
Book – Exit Wounds Major General John Cantwell
- Forever shaped by insurmountable grief, horror and shame.
Major Cantwell fought in Iraq in 1991 and in 2006. In 2010 he commanded the Australian troops in Afghanistan. - Since his return, he has been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and depression and spent time in psychiatric wards.
- Similarly, Australia’s Major General John Cantwell, who was on track to become Chief of Army in the Defence Department, found himself in a psychiatric ward instead of rising to the top of his field because he has become overwhelmed by his mounting sense of grief, horror and guilt arising from his war experiences, both in Afghanistan and Iraq. He states that he feels a sense of betrayal towards the men for whose lives he was responsible and who ended up maimed or killed. He now feels “redundant, without purpose” and desperate because he can no longer help.
- Forever traumatised: Walking down the street in Melbourne, signs of war trigger his trauma. For example, a plastic garbage bag rustling in the wind recalls an improvised explosive device (IED). “I freeze, then force myself to calm down”. Whenever he uses antiseptic chemicals at home, he recalls dead bodies in the mortuary.
- “I try hard not to dwell on the troubled past, but it invades my consciousness without prompting. “The real me – the person who has led soldiers in battle – watches aghast at the blubbering fool I have become”.
- Ever since his return, he is on a cocktail of drugs for depression, anxiety and pain that he believes have left him “dull-witted”
- Forever shaped by the brutal and uncontrollable violence of his actions; trauma, guilt and shame. The American soldier who opened fire …
Survival is just not about self-preservation and physical survival, but also concerns who we are as people, our self-respect and dignity. Sometimes we might have to fight to preserve our goodness and our humanity. Sometimes traumatic war experiences can leave psychological scars that undermine our peace and sanity.
Political conflict = Personal conflict – arising not because of that that he has been maimed and impaired, but because of the effect of the other soldiers and their families… Their trauma has become part of his psychological scarring…
OUR EXPERIENCES DETERMINE WHO WE ARE
Often traumatic experiences such as life-and-death experiences at war can have a very stifling impact upon our growth. These experiences often leave us forever feeling bruised and it can completely alter our realities and our future. For example, soldiers who have experienced the horrifying impact of a war will often never be the same. Similarly, some generals suffer the burden of guilt. Major John Cantwell… .
Psychologists believe that when faced with danger, humans are biologically conditioned to protect themselves. In other words the primordial “flight-fight response” is an ancient mind-body reaction that ensures our survival.
Several Australian soldiers who have returned from the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq claimed that the need for survival tends to overwhelm them in war-like situations. As one soldier, Tom Williams stated, “compassion starts to slip.” Williams says, ”I went from gung-ho to scared shitless to back to normal in three days, but it changed things,” he says. His attitude shifted. ”The fight for survival takes over everything. The compassion starts to slip. Trust between you and the people you’re supposed to help fades away.” However, the fight for survival may also involve the fear and concern for others. However, officer Tyrell also states that he was also greatly concerned for the survival of his troops.
Survival of individual but for a good cause:… Likewise Kyle Tyrell an Australian officer who also fought in Afghanistan, stated that his purpose was not only to stay alive but to “make sure everyone else stays alive.” Like the women in the Sumatran camp, he, too, put a lot of effort into helping others maintain their sanity. He says, ”You read stuff about the armed forces and love and brotherhood. At a base level, it’s probably the most beautiful thing that you can get – you are helping another person stay alive.”
However, other times people place more emphasis on their values and protecting others.
Trooper Mark Donaldson received the Victoria Cross in 2009 for his role in the Afghanistan war. He was the first Australian soldier for 40 years to receive the medal which is Australia’s highest award for combat. During a moment of intense fire power from the Taliban’s rocket-propelled grenades, Donaldson grabbed a heavy rocket launcher and sprinted through incoming bullets. He began firing high-explosive rounds. This dangerous act enabled other men to pull the wounded from the battlefield and begin first aid. (link to prompt) Under pressure, Donaldson had the courage of his convictions; he had the confidence in the Australian mission and was a true defender of Australian democratic values.
In the course of his epoch making experiments on the conditioned reflex, Ivan Pavlov observed that, when subjected to prolonged physical or psychic stress, laboratory animals exhibit all the symptoms of a nervous breakdown. This analogy – Pavlov’s findings were confirmed in the most distressing manner during the two w wars. As the result of a single catastrophic experience… soldiers develop a number of disabling psycho-physical symptoms. Every man like every dog has his own individual limit of endurance. Every individual has his breaking point. If the central nervous system of dogs can be broken down, so can the central nervous system of political prisoners. pol
Pavlov shows that on their way to the point of final breakdown, dogs become more than normally suggestible. New behaviour patterns can easily be installed while the dog is at or near the limit of its cerebral endurance. When the brain goes “on strike” new behaviour patterns may be be installed with the greatest of ease.
When faced with danger or conflict, a person’s primordial reaction is to flee. “The flight-fight response is an ancient mind-body interaction.” As psychologists state, it is a physiological cause and effect reaction. Faced with threats, our brain releases various hormones that accelerate our breathing and often lead to escape.