ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS:

List of Winners

High School Winners
First Place: Angie Wang, 10th Grade, Castilleja School, Palo Alto, CA
Second Place: Kaleb Mendez, 12th Grade, East St. John High School, Reserve, LA
Third Place: Tianay Williams, 12th Grade, Saint Katharine Drexel Prep, New Orleans, LA

Middle School Winners
Fifth Grade: Helen Hendrix, Corpus Christi Catholic School, Mobile, AL
Sixth Grade: Natalie Carmical, C.W. Davis Middle School, Flowery Branch, GA
Seventh Grade: Langdan Zhu, El Rancho Charter School, Anaheim, CA
Eighth Grade: Domenic Kaffenberger, Western Hills Middle School, Cranston, RI

Honorable Mentions

First Place: High School

Angie Wang, 10th Grade, Castilleja School, Palo Alto, CA

For Humanity

It’s easy to take for granted the fact that I was born in and that I live in Palo Alto, an affluent hub of innovation. I go to a school that values inclusivity, and I live in an area that values intellectual innovations regardless of gender, race, or religion of the contributor. I find myself having difficulty recognizing the strange contrast between living in a safe and beautiful community, but in fact that elsewhere, whether in less fortunate communities across the country or in places across the world like Syria, people are suffering. Elie Wiesel’s words call for a world that recognizes the common aspects of humanity more than its differences. Unfortunately, modern foreign policy is structured around self-serving nationalism, making Wiesel’s dreams difficult to obtain. Nevertheless, I am convinced that Wiesel’s words can be a part of every individual’s perspective and make the world we live in more aware and compassionate. From World War II to today, political relationships raise implications that impair human rights concerns, while nationalism promotes the wellbeing of one nation over that of other peoples, but complex foreign policy should not be a cause for individual passivism. We do not need politics to stand up for what we believe in.

I remember learning about the period between the world wars when Adolf Hitler seized a broken and vulnerable Germany as an opportunity to transform Europe into a stage of mass murder. In 1945, the United States played a central role in setting up the United Nations. The UN was intended to unify the world by prioritizing human lives and peace, echoing the views of Elie Wiesel. To lay out the UN’s intention to prevent atrocities like the Holocaust, representatives composed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Its words reflect Wiesel’s: “Everyone is entitled to... rights and freedoms... without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion… Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs…” (Universal Declaration of Human Rights). The Declaration established admirable goals that discourage marginalizing people due to their nationality. Unfortunately, the UN has not always been able to enforce its values, as seen through conflicts like the Rwandan and Cambodian genocides and the Vietnam War. Despite past atrocities, the Declaration, like Wiesel’s words, still provides a blueprint to strive for human rights.

At the present, Wiesel’s words can be used to guide our approach towards the complex refugee crisis. Although Wiesel says that national borders are irrelevant, national borders are currently a reality that must be overcome to help those who suffer. The United Nations ultimately has finite power to surmount fear, stigma, and lack of resources that borders have instigated. I have noticed that apathy is abundant on a political and individual level as a result of national borders. Often, the refugees’ suffering seems so far away that it could almost be nonexistent; it is easy to say refugees aren’t our people or our problems. Yet the victims of suffering will always be our fellow people and our problems. Ten years from now, we will not want to regretfully reflect that we did not work hard enough to advocate for human lives in peril. Wiesel’s words remind us that if every country prioritized human rights for one brief moment, so much could be achieved through unity.

Earlier this month, my school hosted a group of speakers speaking on the theme of human migration. Sasha Chanoff was a part of a rescue mission to evacuate massacre survivors in the Congolese Revolution. Strict orders pressured him to rescue only the 112 people on his authorized list; if he brought more there could be deadly consequences. However, Chanoff found thirty-two additional widows and orphans, and his colleague challenged him to save them: “Are you a humanitarian or not?” Sitting alongside him as he told us this story was a girl who escaped from the Congo because of Chanoff’s fateful decision. This story convinces me that even if politics and nationalism block large-scale help for refugees, Wiesel’s ideas are certainly achievable on a smaller-scale or personal basis. Chanoff’s personal crucible aligns with Wiesel’s words perfectly. Because of Chanoff’s courage to face this decision and do what he felt was right, he changed the lives of these thirty-two people. Though Wiesel’s words can be hard to be embrace because we are not personally witnessing the suffering, Chanoff left me with a meaningful thought: “We’re busy with our work, our families, our studies, and our lives. It’s easy to stay in our comfort zones; it’s easy to do what’s expected of us. I didn’t want to step into that tent in the Congo.” We are going to face moral dilemmas as individuals and as a global society. It is the courage to be prepared to take those risks and to embrace making those decisions that involve moral significance because those instances are the opportunities that ultimately effect change and define who we are as humans. I can educate myself to spread awareness, compassion, and engagement, and I believe that if enough people do so, human rights will become the true “center of the universe.”

Elie Wiesel’s words reflect on the past, sprinkle hope for the present, and provide guidelines for the future. While foreign policy and national borders are not easily dispelled, we, as individuals, can act with courage and compassion. Individuals who have made the well-being of other humans the center of the universe can create communities that do the same. With small steps, communities can create positive change in politics and prevent atrocities like the Holocaust or the Syrian refugee crisis. As sociologist James Q. Wilson said, “Mankind’s moral sense is not a strong beacon light… It is, rather, a small candle flame… sputtering in the strong winds of power and passion, greed and ideology. But brought close to the heart and cupped in one’s hands, it dispels the darkness and warms the soul.”

Second Place: High School

Kaleb Mendez, 12th Grade, East St. John High School, Reserve, LA

A World United Must Truly Embrace “Never Again”

Genocide took the lives of an estimated six million Jews during the Holocaust, and the world swore never to allow it again. Some say that is too big of a promise to keep. However, Elie Wiesel firmly believed that this goal is feasible. Whether it be the Allies liberating the tens of thousands of helpless prisoners taken by Nazi Germany or today’s nations playing essential roles in the Syrian refugee crisis, mankind has and should always be waiting with open arms to help the powerless. By taking part in this kindness, humanity becomes united under the goal of preserving the unalienable rights granted to us by national and international laws, but more importantly we become united by our morality. Erasmus said, “Give light, and the darkness will disappear of itself,” and this is how the project of humanity must proceed.

Imagine the depth of despair Allied forces felt upon entering the Buchenwald concentration camp a year after storming the beaches of Normandy. As American forces neared the camp, anxious prisoners forced their way into Buchenwald’s watch towers and assumed control over the prison until the Americans arrived. Upon arrival, the Americans were left speechless as they liberated 21,000 starving and nearly dead prisoners from the savage conditions inside. This was a watershed moment, forever altering the world’s view on war crimes and leading to the world’s first international tribunal.

After the fall of Germany, nineteen Nazi leaders were convicted of various war crimes and crimes against humanity, an historic precedent for future international tribunals and courts. In the same year, the United Nations was founded. This showed a global commitment to upholding human dignity and rights. Human rights were no longer seen as a privilege for the powerful, but rather as a universal promise for all.

In this post-World War II moment, nations around the world seemed to fulfill many Enlightenment ideals. After all, it was John Locke who wrote it is the responsibility of a government to uphold the natural rights of its citizens. Locke believed that failing to do this would be a violation of the “social contract,” and he believed that this would be grounds for a revolution. This notion serves as foundation for other core principles found in developed nations. Take for example Article I and Article III of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: “that all humans are born free and equal in dignity and rights,” and all humans have a right to life, liberty, and security of person.

However, I believe this contract should extend to all of humanity, especially in places where human rights are infringed and totalitarianism stands unchallenged. At this moment in history, the politics of “never again” are an empty promise. It should be the responsibility of not only the global hegemon but also the United Nations, NATO, and other countries to seek the establishment of human rights for all people. The protection of human rights is an emerging norm, and as such it has begun to challenge human rights violations in countries such as Cuba and North Korea. This pressure must remain steadfast and immune to the politics of individual countries in order for this norm to survive.

Today, we see the world uniting to help those escaping the violence and horrors of war. In Europe, a surge of escaping Middle Eastern refugees developed as a result of conflict in Syria and Iraq. As of 2016, about half of Europe’s 1.3 million asylum seekers came from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. The German government has played a large role in accepting these refugees with open arms, granting 40,000 asylum applications so far. The United States itself has taken 70,000 asylum seekers from countries all over the world. Ever since the conflict began in Syria, coalition forces have joined together to try and bring an end to the violence, with little success as of yet. However, these attempts prove that governments worldwide understand their role in preserving the rights of people at home and abroad. Wiesel’s words, “When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant,” are brought to reality by the efforts of these nations.

Elie Wiesel saw the worst humanity can offer, yet he did not seek revenge against the perpetrators. Instead he spent his life promoting a philosophy of peace, which had at its foundation the promise of “never again.” Countless organizations now exist for the sole reason of preserving human rights and peace. Organizations such as Youth for Human Rights and the Peace Alliance Movement show that there are thousands of individuals willing to set their lives aside to help those in need. These movements keep the world informed so that we may deliver light into the darkness. The resilience of women and men who hold this torch supports Wiesel’s belief that “Wherever men or women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must – at that moment – become the center of the universe.” If the West, presumably, could address atrocities committed on its own soil, what is stopping those nations from answering atrocities committed across artificial boundaries that exist? This continued force of kindness—of the best humankind can offer—is necessary in the constant struggle against the deterioration of human rights. The project of humanity requires nothing less.

Third Place: High School

Tianay Williams, 12th Grade, Saint Katharine Drexel Prep, New Orleans, LA

The War at Heart

When the world is at war, no one is safe. No one can ignore the suffering of others by becoming desensitized to the events taking place around them. No one can close their eyes and pretend that the war never happened or that it did not affect them in some type of way. We can not see what the future holds without first acknowledging the past. Elie Wiesel calls us to remember the injustices of war so that we could look towards the future with open eyes. He calls us to see that war is not just on the battlefield. We are fighting wars against prejudice, violence, racism, and many other issues that hinder us in creating a society where everyone is treated with dignity. This is why Elie Wiesel swore to never be silent whenever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. I agree with Elie Wiesel’s views because he addressed the importance of coming together as a human race to combat discrimination and persecution.

Many people of various nationalities faced harsh discrimination during World War II and had to struggle for justice and equality. Elie Wiesel said, "When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant." In my view, this means that world leaders often crack under the pressure of war. To protect their countries and defend their beliefs, they often compromise their sense of humanity. When the bullets start flying and the bombs start dropping, they feel threatened.

Perhaps, this is what led President Franklin D. Roosevelt to sign the Executive Order 9066. As a result, approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans became victims of prejudice when they were forced into internment camps. Fear caused by the devastation on Pearl Harbor led President Roosevelt to make decision that violated the liberties of Japanese Americans. They were stripped of their dignity because the country was at risk and felt threatened by them.

Today, we are encouraged to fight discrimination by speaking out for those who are being mistreated. We, the people, hold the power to initiate change in our society when we feel that a particular group of people are being discriminated against. LGBT rights, for example, came as the result of activists petitioning the government to follow the will of the people. By speaking out against injustice, we draw attention to issues that become impossible to ignore.

World War II was accompanied by one of the most famous genocides in history. Elie Wiesel said, "Whenever men or women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must - at that moment - become the center of the universe." In my view, this means that it is our moral duty, as a human race, to protect and defend those who are being oppressed. Not getting involved when human lives are in danger shows the oppressor that we accept whatever is going on.

Perhaps, this why Adolf Hitler was able to get away with the systematic persecution of millions of Jewish people. Maybe, he believed that he was not doing anything wrong because no one stepped up to oppose him. The issue was "at the center of the universe," but no one wanted to open their eyes and acknowledge that there was a problem. There are still people today who have closed their eyes to the horrors of war by refusing to believe that the Holocaust ever happened. Survivors of the Holocaust often still had to face the long-lasting impact of anti-semitism as they struggled to start a new life.

Today, religious persecution is a problem among the Islamic community. Muslims around the nation often face physical and verbal harassment on a daily basis because of their faith. Some of our own political leaders have expressed biases towards the Muslim community by suggesting that they should carry around government issued identification cards that note their faith. This is no different from when Jews had to carry around special identification cards in 1938. It is up to us, as a society, to stand up and say that we will not tolerate this type of division in our country. Elie Wiesel calls us to realize that violence and hatred towards each other is not the answer. Everyone is entitled to the freedom to practice their faith without the risk of persecution. It is up to us to promote peace and compassion in our communities.

The future of the world is in the hands of the people. To me, Elie Wiesel’s quote is stressing the importance of being an advocate for humanity. World War II has taught us that there are no winning sides, but there is a right and a wrong with no grey area in between. This is why we must follow Elie Wiesel by never being silent in the face of injustice. The war may be over on the battlefield, but we are at war with ourselves against the repetition of history.

Fifth Grade

Helen Hendrix, Corpus Christi Catholic School, Mobile, AL

Being Different in an Indifferent World

“The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. The opposite of beauty is not ugliness, it’s indifference. The opposite of life is not death, but indifference to life and death.” Elie Wiesel warned the world to stand up against indifference or see the Holocaust happen again.

Indifference is lacking care or concern. Children my age are indifferent about many things because they only care about video games, television, appearances, or what others think. Indifference can really hurt someone.

I agree with Wiesel because indifference is worse than being mean or hating someone. Indifference is not even thinking about something or someone because you don’t understand the problem or care to know, you think you are better than them, or think it is not your problem. I see indifference in our world when I look at refugees and countries that refuse to help. I see indifference in bullying and bystanders who refuse to acknowledge the suffering of the victim. I see indifference in nursing homes when elderly are left alone with only basic needs met. By being indifferent and ignoring the suffering of others, we continue to allow bad things to happen. This is what Wiesel warned us about.

I have decided to be DIFFERENT than others because when someone is indifferent they are causing suffering to another buy not caring or helping. I learned the importance of being different this year. My mother introduced me to Agnes Tennenbaum, an Auschwitz survivor. Mrs. Agnes was in a nursing home and complained that she was surrounded by death just like at Auschwitz. She complained the food was disgusting and she could not eat it just like the food in the camps. She complained about not having her clothes, belongings, or family. My family promised to visit.

I saw many people who were indifferent to Mrs. Agnes. They said “Never Forget”, but they forgot her or didn’t make time for her. Mom said that we could not ignore her thirst, hunger, and loneliness and drive by without stopping. Mom’s heart told her that if we drove by knowing that she needed us that we were hurting her just like the Nazis did. It was wrong to ignore her. Mom was right and I quickly learned what it meant to be different in a world of indifference.

We would visit Mrs. Agnes and bring soup so she was not hungry or lonely. We showed love not hate or indifference. She wanted her hair done and hairdressers came on their off days to help her. A photographer took pictures to show Mrs. Agnes that she was still beautiful. They gave beauty not ugliness or indifference. We did not show indifference to Mrs. Agnes’s life as she approached her death. Instead, we respected her as a Holocaust survivor and showed her love until her death. She said thank you for everything and that she loved me. I was proud of myself and promised her that I will always make a difference and will “Never Forget”.

Sixth Grade

Natalie Carmical, C.W. Davis Middle School, Flowery Branch, GA

The Dangers of Indifference

Elie Wiesel was a human rights activist against worldwide genocide and violence who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986. He spoke about how indifference had a negative effect on our world. Indifference is the lack of interest or knowing something and not caring enough to do anything in order to change it. Indifference was a problem during World War II regarding the Holocaust and it is still a problem today regarding poverty in the United States.

Many people showed indifference during the Holocaust, which was a genocide that killed about six million Jews. During the darkest time of the Holocaust, a ship called the St. Louis was carrying about one thousand Jews and was sent back to Nazi Germany from America. The Jews were trying to escape the ghettos and death camps of Nazi Germany and the Americans turned them away. America was supposed to be one of the most generous of all the nations at that time. Some of America’s largest corporations continued to do business with Hitler’s Germany until 1942. One of those corporations gave oil to the Germans, which probably helped them with their attacks during the war. Those American corporations were more concerned with making money than boycotting a country that killed innocent people.

Indifference is very common within the United States regarding the state of poverty. America is one of the most unequal developed nations in the world and has very high poverty rates. Americans often ignore homeless people. Poverty is looked at as a personal failing and as the fault of the homeless person. Homeless people are viewed as lazy and as having no moral values. A homeless person’s day-to-day goal is to just stay alive. When non-poor people see the homeless, they pretend not to see them and they act like they don’t care enough about the problem to help to correct it. Many non-poor Americans care about their friends and families and sometimes neighbors but rarely care about strangers.

Elie Wiesel spoke about how indifference had a negative effect on our world. Indifference was a problem regarding the Holocaust when Elie Wiesel was a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps. Indifference is a problem today regarding poverty in the United States. An attitude of indifference in people today is like the plague. Most people are self-absorbed. They strive for whatever will benefit them and do not care about anyone else. We need to move away from indifference and move towards being more socially conscious people.

Seventh Grade

Langdan Zhu, El Rancho Charter School, Anaheim, CA

Overcoming Indifference Takes Practice

This July my parents accompanied me to the University of California, Berkeley for a math competition. On the last day of our stay, we were walking to the BART station when I saw a street musician singing. Her voice was beautiful. I was drawn to the world she created—embracing, uplifting, with a touch of sadness. But no one else seemed to have noticed it on that busy street. People just walked by without stopping, all in their own worlds. The tip box in front of her was empty.

“Let’s go—we have to catch our flight home.” Dad’s words dragged me back to reality. We hurried to take the escalator down to the underground level. Just before we were to enter the gate, I suddenly stopped and turned to them, “Dad, Mom, can I borrow one dollar? I will pay back from my piggy bank once we get home.”

“What for?”

“I want to show my appreciation for her beautiful song.”

“But we are late…”

“Pleeeease! It only takes a minute.”

They looked at each other and finally nodded. With a one-dollar bill in my hand, I rushed back up to the street.

That decision was my small start to overcome indifference.

I believe indifference is the source of much injustice and evil in the world. Professor Elie Wiesel’s remarks on indifference are right on. I also agree with another quote he said: “We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”

Adolf Hitler’s rise to power, World War II and the Holocaust would not have happened without the widespread indifference among people and nations. As Pastor Martin Niemöller reflected, “first they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Socialist; … Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”

Now imagine what the world would have become if the USA acted indifferently and did not participate in WWII.

To overcome indifference takes conscience, courage, critical thinking and leadership. More importantly, it takes practice. You have to regularly exercise the “muscle” to overcome indifference. It is hard to do it at the beginning, but it will become easier over time. With practice, acting compassionately becomes a habit and eventually an instinct. It becomes who you are.

Practice means to start speaking up when you see someone bullied at school, even if you are not the target.

It means to contribute to the charities for the causes you believe in.

It means to help others when you can.

It means to cheer for the beauty, the kindness and the humanity you discover in life.

Overcoming indifference starts from today. From me. From one dollar.

Eighth Grade

Domenic Kaffenberger, Western Hills Middle School, Cranston, RI

Indifference

“The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of beauty is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, but indifference between life and death,” states Elie Wiesel. “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing,” according to Edmund Burke. Wiesel and Burke have almost the same philosophy about all of the fairy tales we are told as children. Our parents read stories and raise us to believe that good is always more powerful than evil. But what happens if there is no prince to save the princess or hero to kill the beast? Then evil will succeed in its plans to control, enslave, and kill. The Holocaust is a prime example where the good is missing from the fight. What would have happened to the millions of Jews if countries had stepped in sooner not only to stop Hitler but all the Nazi’s and its supporters? Therefore, I agree with Wiesel and Burke that indifference is the worst form of evil, betrayal to life, and plague to humankind.

The sad thing is that people like Hitler don’t care. They don’t care about what will happen to them at the end, they care about how much destruction they can make and how much misery they can bring. That’s why when people didn’t step forth, the death of so many Jews in the Holocaust was probably magnified because many countries didn’t step in. Eventually, the Holocaust got so bad that countries like America, England, etc had to defeat these Nazi’s. Another example of this is the Syrian refugees. Many countries won’t help them because they don’t want to get involved or are concerned that they might be terrorists. By neglecting these people they have received the blood of innocent men, women, and children on their hands. Another example that adults are constantly lecturing us about is bullying. Most of the time people will see someone get bullied but do nothing because they don’t want to attract unwanted attention from the bully. By doing this, they become just as guilty as the bully. Although not telling an adult or standing up against the bully doesn’t have such a serious effect right away, it can ruin a kid’s life.

People are always tell us “be kind to one another”. How can the world try to send messages like this to the newer generations when people treat each other with such disrespect and where people don’t help each other out? By ignoring something catastrophic like you would ignore one of your siblings as they pester you ruins the human race. By committing indifference, you are feeding into things like greed, cowardice, and cruelty when we should be setting examples for our future generations of selflessness, bravery, and kindness. Therefore I agree with Elie Wiesel that Indifference is the worst thing you can do to other human beings.

Honorable Mentions

High School Honorable Mentions
Evan Wright, Osceola School District, Osceola, WI
Ian Galvez, Millennium High School, Tracy, CA
Gracey Maxwell, Berkeley Preparatory School, Tampa, FL
Jeremy Hart, North Allegheny Senior High School, Wexford, PA
Jackson Neal, Pineville High School, Pineville, LA
Eli Schantz, Westfield High School, Westfield, IN
Shreeya Agarwal, New Market, MD

Middle School Honorable Mentions
Walker Gordillo, Metairie Park Country Day School, Metairie, LA (5th Grade)
Sam Carey, Lusher Charter School, New Orleans, LA (6th Grade)
Adelade Edgington, Olney Junior High School, Olney, TX(6th Grade)
Anna Boone, San Lee Middle School, Sanford, NC (7th Grade)
Jake McInnis, Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy, Westwego, LA (7th Grade)
Nicholas Zana, Shady Side Academy Middle School, Pittsburgh, PA(8th Grade)
Ava McIntosh, The Epiphany School, New York, NY(8th Grade)

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