Message from Rwanda
On my summer reading list is a new book by Barbara Coloroso entitled "Just because it's not wrong doesn't make it right: from toddlers to teens, teaching kids to think and act ethically". I was flipping through it yesterday and was drawn to a short story right at the beginning of the book. It included a quote by Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, which stood out to me after having recently seen (and loved!) the movie Hotel Rwanda. The quote struck me also because of the 'nature/nurture' discussion initiated in the blog last week. I wonder what you think of it .....
"People can be made bad, and they can be taught to be good."
- PRESIDENT PAUL KAGAME, WHO AS GENERAL
OF THE RWANDAN PATRIOTIC FRONT (RPF) LED
HIS WELL-DISCIPLINED, RAGTAG ARMY INTO RWANDA
AND DID SOMETHING THE INTERNATIONAL
COMMUNITY HAD FAILED TO DO ONE HUNDRED
DAYS BEFORE - STOPPED THE GENOCIDE
OF THE RWANDAN PATRIOTIC FRONT (RPF) LED
HIS WELL-DISCIPLINED, RAGTAG ARMY INTO RWANDA
AND DID SOMETHING THE INTERNATIONAL
COMMUNITY HAD FAILED TO DO ONE HUNDRED
DAYS BEFORE - STOPPED THE GENOCIDE
posted by Ms Watt @ 10:05 AM
5 comments
5 Comments:
I wonder... does that mean that the nature of a person not only depends on thmselves but on the people living around them too?
Indeed it does, Sapphire. Think of this: I you were beaten by an unloving father, as a child in a single parent family, just think of how different that would make you. The actions of others directly affect you.
Rocking On,
Postman Craig
I'm going to take a different philosophic route to this statement. I actually disagree with the statement, yes you are able to influence whiat you think. But the person has the final decision. if he doesn't agree with what the person is doing he won't do it. Yes the person can attempt to convince him it's right but that usually doesn't work. Thank you
This always confuses me. How is it that humans can think and act differently? How do we develop to be so unique?
The answer to your question, Sapphire, can be explained somewhat in Science, but also has to go along with a little interpretation and perhaps religious beliefs. If you go to Cameron Heights into the IB program, there's a course you can take called "Theory of Knowledge," which is a philosophical course related to this topic. But don't wait till then- there's always good websites available!
Simon, your view does not disagree with this statement, it actually is what the statement says. Actions INFLUENCE you, but, because the mind is independent, you do indeed make the final choice.
To further exploit my previous post, if say I was in a single parent family beaten by an unloving father, I may view this as being unjust, and, therefore, do not wish to do so to another person myself. Make sense?
Rocking On,
Postman Craig
P.S.: Simon, why can you never agree on anything!? JK! LOL!
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