Genocide

The Rwandan genocide occurred because of the Belgian colonial rule, which rewarded Tutsis with a Western education, and denyied political and economic power to the Hutus. The Hutus became envious of the Tutsis' acceptance from the Belgian but eventually took control of Rwanda. Then the Interhamwe took control and started the genocide in Rwanda.
This genocide is a clear example of spiral of violence in our world's history. The genocide started with the selling of weapons to incite a mass genocide which then led to the killing of thousands of innocent victims. The violence from the genoice could have been stopped if more people knew what was actually happening in Rwanda and understood that everyone deserves to be treated equal.  Intervention and help from the United Nations or other countries such as the United States could also have stopped the genocide. The United States faced this type of racial violence when dealing with the KKK during and after the Civil Rights Movement. Another example of this type of violence in the United States is the terrorist attacks that happen on our soil. Events such as 9/11 left thousands of innocent people either injured or killed. This violence can be stopped if everyone understood that they are equal to one another no matter what race they are.

Restoring Justice in Rwanda

After the Rwanda Genocide, Gacaca courts were set up to address the fact that there were thousands of accused still awaiting trial in the national court system, and to bring about justice and reconciliation at the grassroots level. The Gacaca trials served to promote reconciliation by providing a means for victims to learn the truth about the death of their family members and relatives.
The Gacaca courts reflect many themes of Catholic Social Teaching.  One theme that is present in the courts is the call to family and community participation. The courts tried to include the whole community to help bring justice to those harmed and killed in the genocide. The community also gathered in the courts to listen to their own neighbors and other survivor's stories of their time in the  genocide. Another theme of Catholic Social Teaching is solidarity. The Gacaca courts allowed survivors of the Genocide to share their own feelings and stories. The Gacaca Courts also instilled the theme of respect of life and dignity of a human person through attempting to bring justice to those who were innocently killed in the genocide. However, the courts did not followed the Rights and Responsibility because the people staying there were living in dangerous and unhealthy conditions. 
Although the Gacaca Courts brought justice and reconciliation to the survivors of the genocide, some people believe that the punishment given to the accused were not forceful enough. The courts may not have been perfect, but they were working in the right direction of bringing justice to those affected by the genocide.

Greening the Ghetto

In her interview, Majora Carter describes how she views urban renewal through an environmental perspective. According to Marjora, “Environmental justice [means that] no community should be saddled with more environmental burdens and less environmental benefits than any other". She managed to create the first open-waterfront in South Brox in 60 years. She then received $1.25 million in federal funds for a greenway along the South Bronx waterfront. Through this work, she brought the neighborhood open space, pedestrian and bike paths, and space for  economic development.

“To me, charity often is just about giving, because you’re supposed to, or because it’s what you’ve always done — or it’s about giving until it hurts". Marjora Carter's works connect to the themes of Catholic Social Teaching by helping to create a better and safer community in which people can grow up in. We are all called to protect and treat God's creation with respect. Marjora shows us all how to "green the ghettos". Through her dedication and hard wok, Marjora Carter is creating a better and healthier community from urban cities to rural communities. 

Immigration Reform

Today immigration is one of the biggest growing issues in the United States. We can either create the restrictions to immigraton more strict or show compassion to immigrants. The Catholic Bishops believe it is our obligation to treat immigrants with compassion instead of treating them like our enemies. Immigrants deserve every right to try to make a better life in the US if they do not create any violence which most of them do not. However, some people come to America so they are able to get welfare. This causes the United States to attempt to decrease the amount of immigrants trying to enter the US.

Christians are called to reflect on the seven themes of Catholic social teaching which states that everyone's live deserves to be respected with dignity. The Catholic Bishops stated five elements that they find necessary for immigrant reform. The first thing is that immigrants must have a fair e path to American citizenship. Next, the United States must work to reunite as many families as possible. Archbishop Chaput also stated how we must initiate programs from low-skilled migrant workers to work and succeed in the United States. Next, due process must be available for all immigrants. Finally, we must work to uncover the root cause of immigration. I think that Archbishop Chaput created a well reform for immigration but it is also hard to consider what each immigrant intends on doing while living in the United States. Congress has a hard decision on deciding what to do with immigration.

Forgivness..

The attacks on September 1, 2001 were the worst terrorist attack in America to this day. Everyone can remember where they were and what they were doing on that day. Osama bin Laden was responsible for the murder of thousands of men and women in the United States, for the deaths and misery of millions across the world, and for the death of many servicemen and women, who made the supreme sacrifice of their lives. But as a Christian, we asked to pray for him and, at some point, forgive him.  And that command comes to us from Jesus, a man who was beaten, tortured and killed.  That command comes from a man who knows a great deal about suffering.  It also comes from God.

Forgiving someone for something they did is always hard to do. However Jesus calls everyone to forgive anyone who has sinned against them. Jesus tells us in Scripture to "Forgive, and you will be forgiven" (Luke 6:37-38). If we do not forgive others then we are just causing ourselves to be filled with more hate than love. Jesus was able to forgive those who killed him, so we Christians are able to forgive others and in particular Osama Bin Laden. 

Christians are called to forgive Osama Bin Laden. But forgiveness does not mean to forget what happened. We can still remember what happened on September 11th 2011, but we should not build up hatred in ourselves over one person. We need to remember those who were killed in the attacks but not let the hatred control our lives which will lead to more hatred around the world. Forgiving our enemies including Osama Bin Laden will allow us to grow closer to God as he desires us to. 

Justice Vs Charity

According to  David Hilfiker, charity and justice are very different from each other. Charity is defined as the voluntary giving of help, typically in the form of money, to those in need. Charity helps ease hardships until a social structure is built. On the other hand, justice is treating people fairly and repeating their freedoms. Charity is described as peoples' goodwill and Hilfiker says that it can be given and withdrawn at any point in time. In the article Hilfiker describes charity as "wounds". I disagree with Hilfiker's view on this part of charity because charity allows people to give back to those in need.  Hilfker believes that justice takes longer to perform and is more tiresome than charity because people who are trying to spread justice have to be more devoted to the cause. However, there are some people who do not have the time in their lives to spread justice throughout their community, but instead can donate money to the less fortunate. In the article, Hilfker also talks about how an "appropriate sense of outrage" is necessary in our society. I believe that an "appropriate sense of outrage" is important because it allows us to realize that we must take action in spreading justice throughout communities. 

Intervening in Syria

Before getting involved in Syria, there are many questions and problems that have to be considered. Many people are asking why the US should set out on another unapproved Middle Eastern operation when we have our own issues at home.  Another important question to considered circles around the possibility that intervening in Syria could help bring an end to the use of chemical weapons against innocent people living in Syria. The United States can also try to think of another possible way to stop the violence in Syria without the use of military action. The U.S has a history with erupting civil wars and creating bigger problems within the Middle East. Therefor, there is a huge debate whether the United States should become militarily involved with the crisis in Syria..
 There are also both pros and cons that come with getting involved in Syria. If the US does get involved in Syria, the violence happening in Syria could come to the US home front. Another con includes the possible loss of many US soldiers in Syria due to their strong chemical weapons. However, there are also pros of sending military action to Syria. For example, this action may lead to the stopping of chemical weapons and violence to innocent citizens.
The Catholic Social Teaching states in the Just War Theory that war must have a predictable cause. War should also be the last possible resort of resolving a problem. Pope Francis believes that sending military action to Syria is not the right answer Bishops in the United States are also urging Catholics to contact Congress to oppose Obama’s desire to intervene in Syria because it would only escalate to bigger problems throughout the world.