I thought that this essay or speech was interesting. The way Wiesel writes is understandable and enjoyable at the same time. He makes many valid points, but there was a few things that stood out to me.
One thing that really caught my attention was when he said that Roosevelt's 'image in Jewish history is flawed'. I was really taken back by this, and personally do not agree. Wiesel says this because of the St. Louis tale, and does not think that Roosevelt did enough. What more was he supposed to do?
The author also is asking why Roosevelt had such indifference for those victims. I do not think that Roosevelt had and indifference for the vicitms. He was the president, he is not going to babysit the Jewish refugees that he helped saved. It is awful that they had to be turned back, but that does not fall on the shoulders of the president and tarnish his image.
When something terrible happens such as a genocide and countries stand by and let it continue, that does not mean they are indifferent, or don't care. Getting involved with another country can be dangerous. A president cannot invade a country on an assumption that something awful is going on.
I agree with you, i enjoyed the overall quality of this speech. I also agree with you in the fact that Roosevelt had no other option at the time, what people forget is the president is just the front man, basically a puppet, while it is mostly other people that call the shoots. I believe he truly wanted to help the Jews at the time but was forced to be indifferent and not get involved at that time in, if what i recall correctly was, the beginning of the conflict.
ReplyDelete