Renowned author and Holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel, once said, “Indifference, to me, is the epitome of evil.” Perhaps it is human nature to be indifferent to things that don’t directly have an impact on our individual lives. However, we must not let our rudimentary impulses direct our actions. Human history shows that we are prone to failing when it comes to acting humanly. Man is inhumane to others because it’s likely rooted in fear of the other, desire to be in control and a biological desire to survive.

Martin Luther King once said, “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don't know each other; they don't know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” Kings quote points out that fears drives hate which results in cruelty towards one another. Trepidation begins because someone is different and we haven’t taken the time to explore our similarities. In the video in class it further clarified this point- if one isn’t like us, they aren’t us. Brutality is easy when you define someone as less than you because you don’t know them. The Holocaust was an extreme example of this brutality as shown in the video. King suggests that if people take the time to interact and learn about each other we can see each others as equals.

Another challenge we must address in order to minimize inhumanity is ones culture desire to control another culture. All cultures like to think that theirs is the best. While there is nothing wrong with being proud of who you are, where you come from and what you stand for, it can lead to serious conflict with another group. Some people think that their cultural values are the only right ones. They want to impose their beliefs and ways of life on every one else. They justify their evil acts and behavior on that idea. If we are tolerant of other peoples’ way of life (as long as they’re not harmful) then we can learn to respect one another and live peacefully.

A final impediment to obliterate inhumanity is to manage our need for survival. All living species want to live and thrive but sometimes there is competition for resources. There is only so much food, land or water to sustain a community. If people think they are running out of essential needs of life they can become savages. Even in the modern world we see on the news that there are riots, civil wars and tribal war breakouts in areas where there is drought and famine. One way to avoid this basic instinct is to make sure that all groups feel secure in their ability to sustain themselves. Groups at the UN and the Red Cross among others have been helping to do so.

Mans inhumanity to man has been lingering since the beginning of time. Whether it’s from cave men to Hitler to ISIS, we have not solved this problem. Whether it’s our fear, desire or biology the result is the same. People continue to hurt each other until we realize how illogical it is. While at times we seem to be progressing towards a brighter future we often resort to our old ways.