Debate Expirence

During the debate the United Nations was trying to blame the United States for causing the genocide. We stated that when we tried to enter into Rwanda, but we couldn’t get enough support, like armed forces from the United States. The United Nations also needed supplies like tanks from the United States, but the United States refused to provide the materials. They didn’t want to participate in Rwanda because they were previously engaged in a conflict in Somalia. We argued that the United Nations was not reliable for stopping the whole entire genocide and we also needed help from nations that were included in the United Nations to help us out. Belgium was also a main player in the genocide because they were trying to create ethnic diversity, that wasn’t necessary. They had a comment that was really confusing, made no sense and was not relevant to the question, why did you create ethnic diversity? They said that they had to switch from being on the Hutus side to being on the Tutsi’s side.

Even though in the debate the United Nations blamed most of their flaws and mistakes on the United States, I felt the United Nations was responsible for letting the Rwandan Genocide happen, because they didn’t act and try to help prevent the killing in Rwanda. The United Nations just sat back and used excuses to give reasons why they didn’t help. It was hard to find information about the United Nations making smart decisions with good answers. I thought this activity was a good way to portray the decision making of all the countries involved. I liked how all the countries got to state what they thought about their countries decisions and why they aren’t responsible. I think this is a good way of learning about citations because you get to learn the others perspective and before the debate begins you have to do research about the Rwandan Genocide and you have to know all the facts about every side of the genocide. And you have to always be ready to react when someone tried to blame the country you are trying to defend. I liked how you could say what you wanted to say about other countries and try to defend your country in every way possible. Over all I thought the debating was a good experience and it was a better way to help children to learn about historical events.

American Society

Thesis: Emerson's argument in "The American Scholar" about the American society still holds true today.

People want the greatest outcome, while doing the least amount of work. When a student is asked to write a paper, they only meet the requirements. They don't go one step beyond, because when they do the bare minimum they still get the best grade possible. "The tradesman scarcely ever gives an ideal worth to his work, but is ridden by the routine of his craft, and the soul is subject to dollars." When a working person is asked to do a chore they don't usually perform at their best, as long as they get the job done and still get money.

Americans learn only the skills related to their workforce. Americans find that it would be a waste of money and time if they learned things that aren't necessary. Like how to speak a different language when they are planning on being a doctor. When learning how to speak a new language can help when they need to help someone who doesn't speak English. In the air force the men are not taught how to drive ships or submarines, but they are taught how to fly planes. But in war it could be beneficial to the pilot if they knew how to use a boat, because it could give the individual more options.