Silence or Indifference

Martin Luther King Jr. and Elie Weisel both had a common goal, to make people aware that “whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly”(p.529). They both address that it is convenient for people to look the other way when someone else is a victim because it is just easier that way. People have the choice to do what they want and are always taking the easy way around things because it is “troublesome to be involved in another person’s pain and despair.” They both are speaking on behalf of those who are victims of being left alone with no one to take the time to lend them a hand. They both are showing that no matter what year it is, making a difference in life will ultimately push for positive change.
In Martin Luther King’s letter he is expressing the despair of the African American rights. He puts across the message that not all people were treated equally. How can the white just push aside the black? As the colored are fighting for equal rights, the white community is stalling in their claims to help ease discrimination. In the letter, MLK states how they negotiated with Birmingham’s community to take down store signs humiliating their race. As weeks and months went by signs were either put back up or were never taken down. He is fighting for equality and peace between everyone in any race. He is promoting the idea that everyone should take care of one another. He is pushing for change and wants all communities, no matter the color, to take action to make a difference.
Elia Weisel had the same goal as Martin Luther King jr. and that was to help push people for change. He wanted people to know the unconstructive effects of not making a difference. He stresses that being indifferent will not help reach for positive change. He is making the point that the majority of the population is indifferent and the minorities are the ones who are suffering from it. Like Martin Luther King Jr said “whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” And as Weisel states “to be indifferent to that suffering is what makes the human being inhuman” which ultimately reflects the arguments of both men. They both want those who are of big influence to the people to step out and not be indifferent.
Being silent basically means to me that you are not voicing you opinion. Silence is not expressing what you feel or think about things. Not standing up for what it is that you believe in. But being silent doesn’t exactly mean you do not help those in need. Being indifferent on the other hand is. Being indifferent is being silent through your actions and not caring about what you can do for others. It is when you don’t care so ultimately you never do anything about it. Being silent and being indifferent are similar but they both can hinder the push for change and making a big difference in the world.