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Letters to the Editor: Choose words wisely
Ms. Kubisiak:
I'm writing in regards to your commentary piece in the University Chronicle entitled "A New Genocide is Killing Society." I'm extremely concerned by your loose use of the word "genocide."
Since you seem to be fond of arguing from definition, let me first define "genocide."
American Heritage Dictionary : genocide - "The systematic and planned extermination of an entire national, racial, political, or ethnic group."
The meaning of this word goes far beyond the sterile definition in a dusty book, however. For victims of genocide, it conjures images of death, torture, wanton destruction and hatred. Genocides in Rwanda, Burundi, Cambodia, Germany, and the United States have claimed millions of victims, who paid for their nationality, race, gender or ethnicity with the greatest price. The mere mention of the word "genocide" is enough to make people of good conscience, and especially the survivors of genocide, wince and weep.
Why then, do you toss around this word like it is the equivalent to "inconvenience?" As a former instructor who assigned group work, and as a former student who dreaded it, I too share your distaste for those who abuse group members with irresponsible actions and disregard for the shared nature of the work. However, I can't condone your choice of language.
In all, I thought your commentary was well written and insightful, but the repeated use of "genocide" only succeeded in trivializing your views, paradoxically by overinflating their importance. Certainly, no level of inconvenience suffered in a classroom can ever be equivalent to the torture, death and pain of the victims of genocide. I close with a quote from your commentary, which I hope you take to heart in reference to my comments.
"To be accountable, as stated by Webster's New World College Dictionary, is 'to account for one's acts; responsible.' Whenever someone intentionally creates an excuse, that individual's level of accountability drops, and the sum total of unaccountable individuals in society rises."
Aaron Klemz
Sauk Rapids
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