Answer this question, bearing in mind historical events such as :
- the slavery and segregation in the USA
- the extermination camps in Europe during the Second World War
- the Japanese American internment camps in the USA during the Second World War
- the Apartheid, the Soweto riots and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa
- the Stolen Generation, the Bringing Them Home Report and Kevin's Rudd Apology in Australia
- the Amritsar Massacre in India
- Bloody Sunday in Northern Ireland, the Saville Report and David Cameron's address to the Parliament
It seems to me that apologize is not the better word to mean that. We can't apologize because it's not acceptable. To me, we have to live with this past, good or bad because that were a reality and we have to be sure to don't forgive, to keep this in memory and to try to avoid a repetition of the history.
RépondreSupprimerI believe that people change and the story continue, at a moment, we don't had anymore any witnesses, victims and criminals, we have the descendants who remember. The memory of the war and other crimes haunted our mind: everyday, movies about the war are on the TV because this subject is too present to hide it.
In my opinion, apologizing isn't enough to be forgiven however, nothing would be anough to be forgiven because you can't undo the past. Segregation , wars, genocide, the stolen generations destroyed families and led to the death of many people . Apologizing doesn't heal people's pain. Even if some people manage to forgive, it's very hard and apologizing is often insufficient. Also, for the stolen generation for example , Kevin Rudd's speech lasted around twenty minutes which is very short compared to the duration of the stolen generation (1906-70's). Even if some members of the stolen generation came back home , i think they never forgave the government , they just accepted that because it was the past and they had to move on.
RépondreSupprimerThe extermination camps in Europe destroyed families and it seems impossible to forgive because jews suffered from horrible things. Now, descendants don't feel hate however, they didn't forgive. They just know that they can't do anything now and they can only hope it will never start again. Apologizing isn't enough but it's still better than ignoring the past and ignoring our responsabilities. Governments apologize because they can't do anything else and in change, they promise it will never happen again which i think is what victims, descendants of the victims wish.
I think we can't apologize about this events, because what is done, is done. We can't change the past and we have to live with it. Apologizing is a good thing but it's not enough to be forgiven, not at all. What is important is to avoid that what happened, happens again. We can't forgot what happened and we have to be aware of the past events but we don't have to judge societies because of what they did. Today, there are new society, new government.. and I think they try to do the better for us, even if things are complicated. They apologize because they want us to know that they are really sorry, and that it will never happen again. So, apologizing is a good attention but it will never be enough, of course.
RépondreSupprimer("eleve" is Chrystal, I don't know why my name doesn't appear"
RépondreSupprimerTo my mind, I guess apologizing isn't enough to be forgiven because even though you do it, you can't remove all the tragedies of the wars. All this lives killed, this families destroyed.. In our days, people have turned the page because there is nothing else to do. Concerning the Stolen Generation, I don't think they could forgive white australian but I believe that they live with it and pray for having a better future for their descendants. Past is past, you can't change anything. Kevin Rudd's speech may be honest and real but it doesn't make people coming back. That's why it's hard for people to apologize, because when people dot it, it means that it can be forgotten. In addition, sometimes people keep grudge. For instance, the descendants of slaves. Some of them still angry and don't accept the violence inflicted to their ancestors.
RépondreSupprimerWhat's intolerable for people, I think, is the duration of these dramas. For example, The Second World War lasted 6 years (1939-1945) and caused more than 55 millions of dead. It lasted a long time and an apologize can't remove 6 years of suffering.
To conclude, apologizes can decrease pain but don't erase memories of sorrow of past.
A simple apology is rarely enough to make things right. To be forgiven, one must show through actions that they are willing to make up for their mistakes. In Europe and other places, irreparable damage was done to communities and countries. Merely saying "I'm sorry, let's forget about it!" isn't just "not enough", it can also be offensive because it shows that the people responsible are not willing to make up for their wrongs.
RépondreSupprimerThat being said, realizing and admitting that you are wrong is a step in the right direction. By acknowledging that you did something bad, you can then take steps to make up for it. An apology won't erase all of your wrongdoings, but it can be a powerful step towards justice.
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Boundaries shift, new players step in, but power always finds a place to rest its head. History is written by the victor. It does not matter how horrific the slaughterings of the victor is, because in the end, the victor rewrites history to lessen the criticisms. In 1940, the Russians conducted a mass execution of Polish nationalists in the Katyn Forest, however, during the Nuremberg Trials, the massacre was ignored as the Russians were the judges of the war criminals. In the end, the Russians walked free, as the Allies turned a blind eye for their allied victors.
RépondreSupprimerDespite many apologies for crimes against humanity, the victors will always be forgiven. The outcome of history is decided by the victor. History is written by the victor.
Apologies are never enough, especially when it comes the the situations described above. I think that apologies are given when people feel that there is no other way to account for their mistakes, or just want an easy way out. In order for an apology to have validity, it must be heartfelt enough to make one achieve forgiveness.
RépondreSupprimerIt is good to apologize, even if it cannot heal the wound. You should remember and accept the apology even if you don't forgive someone. Especially for such large-scale "mistakes", apologies are not enough. To fully apologize for the above tragedies would be impossible--if you shatter a mirror, it's impossible to make it reflect perfectly even if you glue it back. (Sorry for the silly comparison.) On the other hand, small matters can be forgiven, but should not be forgotten.
RépondreSupprimerApologies are never enough to be forgiven for. What is really needed is action to be taken place. Apologies are a good starting place to help demonstrate some remorse for your actions but to truly illustrate that you want to make up for it there needs to be some course of action. And the action can't just be some money for those who have gone through it, which many US governments have done for things such as internment camps. There needs to be something to make up for it of equality. Trying to improve their walks of life somehow because of how you seriously harmed them physically and emotionally. The other main thing to note is that you can't take back what you do. Forgive after action is taken, but still be cautious and don't forget what has happened. Don't use it against them constantly, but also don't get be surprised if it happens again. As the saying goes, "fooled once shame on you, fooled twice shame on me".
RépondreSupprimerWords can be powerful. However, looking at history, words never seem to be enough. They are found in peace treaties that are never upheld, pacts that are not followed, or promises that are broken. So, yes, in a historical point of view, apologizing is not enough; one can even say that it is insincere because government constantly adjust their statements. Still, they cannot be blamed because governments are created to cater to the needs of their own people, therefore, they are often callous to the needs of others. That is why apologizing is never enough - they is not sincerity or a promise to behave oneself. It is established that when the time comes, we will drop the nuclear bomb or in fear, we will massacre those we are trying to control. They acts are barbaric - even though we expect them to happen. People are too lax with their government and they believe that apologizing heals the wounds. The truth is, people have to learn the truth about politics.
RépondreSupprimerNow, in life, I believe that apologizing is enough when it is sincere. We, as individuals, can take responsibility for our actions and prevent mistakes. We are in full control and are capable of loving one another. So sometimes, the one apologizing should be forgiven and given a second chance. It is not right to hate someone who clearly regrets their actions or words.
I don't think apologizing is enough for someone or someones to be forgiven, especially murder, but I think it is extremely necessary for the healing process. Although some of these tragedies in history such as genocides, massacres, segregation, etc., are absolutely unacceptable, at some point, after much apologizing and compensation people have to slowly move on with out forgetting the past. This may seem very difficult, but the only way to move on and continue to grow is to accept the past for what it is and try to make the future better. It is very important to take an apology, whether one forgives or not for it, because without some indication of appreciation, even at the most minuscule level, hostilities may arise or continue, which would only cause more damage.
RépondreSupprimerIn my opinion, apologies are never sufficient for forgiveness. One cannot simply say the words, "I'm sorry" and have everything be magically fixed. Rather, one has to truly prove that he or she regrets actions made in the past, and ensure that he or she will not repeat the same mistake in the future. In fact, it is often said that "actions speak louder than words."
RépondreSupprimerIn very extreme cases, however, even this is not enough to be forgiven. Some actions are so cruel and terrible that they simply cannot be overlooked. Take the extermination camps controlled by the Nazis during World War II, for example. Absolute atrocities were committed in these extermination camps, and millions of Jews were brutally murdered. There is no form of apology or action that can ever justify the taking away of so many innocent lives. Such is true for numerous other tragedies in the world's history.
When we are little, we are taught by our parents to always apologize for our actions that hurt others. It was our way of distinguishing between what was right and wrong. Though beyond that, it helped understand the actions of forgiveness. Apologizing must happen, whether it is truly sincere or not, it should always be the first step in recognizing moving forward in a situation. Though, it should never be the only thing one relies on to mend a wrong doing. It is simply a word, and words mean nothing without actions and emotions to back them up. Yet many times forgiveness is not given due to bitterness and past resentments toward the situation. In each situation, apologies and the way one moves forward through forgiveness varies.
RépondreSupprimerApologizing could mean as little as saying "I'm sorry" or as much as fixing the problem. Apologizing although not always successful, is still beneficial in helping the problem. The more serious the problem or severity of the situation, the more things that need to be done in order to be forgiven. Sometimes, people will never be forgiven, but apologizing and showing that you really mean it will help fix the situation.
RépondreSupprimerI believe that apologizing does mitigate the problem or situation that one brings oneself upon. Although the severity of a certain problem can be unforgivable, an apology is the least one can do to show that one has done wrong and has acknowledged the error. Depending on the case, an apology can be the solution to a problem; however, sometimes an unforgivable act may need more than just an apology.
RépondreSupprimerEven the worst offenses can be forgiven, but it doesn't mean that they will be forgotten.
RépondreSupprimerThe Emancipation Proclamation (and the 13th Amendment) is basically a big, formally written apology to African-Americans saying that they should not have been enslaved in America and that it will never happen again. Unfortunately, slavery is a part of America's history and it is something that can't be forgotten just like that.
Murderous acts like the events at Sandy Hook will, at some point of time, be forgiven, but they cannot be forgotten. This event is forever ingrained in the individuals who are connected to the victims that were killed in the school shooting. Sure, this type of event, along with all of the other listed events in the description, can be easily forgiven on the outside, but it doesn't make it easier to truly forgive these incidents when they put too much of a hole inside a person's heart.
In my opinion, I believe that apologizing is essential. Even though apologizing after certain fights doesn't help, it is the thought that counts. Apologizing doesn't justify an incident. One has to prove and make themselves worthy of being forgiven. Being forgiven is an honor, and isn't something that is always granted. For small events such as losing someone's book, or stepping on someone's shoe, apologizing could work and one could be forgiven. However, for larger incidents such as murders or war, apologies aren't necessary. Nothing can be undone, and an apology is just a waste.
RépondreSupprimerThere is a difference between apologizing and forgiving. We may, for the most part, feel that we have forgiven another convincing ourselves that this is the right thing to do and for all the right reasons – only to experience an event or person which triggers all of the pain and hurt we thought we had resolved by forgiving. This shows us that, instead of forgiving, we have only accepted what has happened and that, despite the compassion we have shown the other party involved, we are still unwilling to let go.Perhaps an apology will help us to forgive? Knowing, or believing, that the other person involved is sorry for what has happened may help us to not only accept what has occurred, but be willing to let go of all the pain and hurt by forgiving them. For some, apologizing is difficult, but for others it is relatively easy; they are willing to take responsibility for their role in causing another pain or harm, and in a timely fashion convey their apology sincerely. So I say it depends on the situation, some things just cannot be forgiven just by a simple apology.
RépondreSupprimerDefinitely not. Apologizing is usually not enough to be forgiven, and it often depends on the circumsatnces. All the listed, horrible tragedies aside, in my own experience, my older cousin used to hit me for fun, but would afterwards apoligize (not sure if he felt guilty or what). I still felt terrible and and simply saying "oh sorry" doesn't make up for the bruises and cuts. Forgiveness must be earned.
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