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Journal Entries : Five Quotations Considered

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Five Quotations Considered

1 . Every American ought to have the right to be treated as he would wish to be treated , as one

would wish his children to be treated ' John F . Kennedy

John F . Kennedy 's words seem to resonate with the strained race relations between whites and blacks - a focal issue during his presidency . The statement that one ought to treat others as he or she wishes to be treated seems

simple however , far too many people deal with those who are different from them with varying degrees of prejudice , so simple or not , this is an idea that needs consideration and application even today

Kennedy added power to his proposal by inserting children into the mix if one considers his or her children being mistreated or facing prejudice , the unfairness of the situation is exacerbated . While many adults have faced prejudice and /or act in ways that reflect poor treatment of others , not many of these individuals would treat their own children in such a manner . If good old fashioned kindness isn 't reason enough to treat others appropriately , considering one 's child facing prejudice might be just what is needed to make a difference

2 . Washing one 's hands of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless means to side with the powerful , not to be neutral ' Paulo Freire

Neutrality is only an option when power exists between two (or more sides for example

not caring whether a democrat or a republican wins an election is a reasonably neutral position

given our current political divisions . In most cases , an election will be won by an individual

from one of those two parties , so failing to cast one 's vote does not automatically default to

support of one party or the other . This would not be the case if the indecisiveness was between a

democrat and an independent : far more people will vote for the democrat so there is no neutral

ground . If one does not vote for the independent , one is essentially voting for the democrat

The danger in this , and the point being made by Paulo Freire , is that if the sides in conflict are imbalanced , taking a position of neutrality is supporting the individual (or group ) who (that ) is in power - one 's hands do get dirty

3 . Equity is the heart and essence of democracy , freedom , and justice ' A . Phillip Randolph

The terms democracy ' freedom ' and justice ' each imply a propensity for fairness , and fairness implies equity . Our democratic system is designed to ensure (to the greatest degree possible ) that each individual has an equal say in how the country is run . Our social system is set up to guarantee (to the greatest degree possible ) each law-abiding citizen basic freedoms . Our legal system is designed (to the greatest degree possible ) to protect the members of our society from unlawful and inequitable treatment . If arbitrary issues such as...