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Human Rights at Home and Abroad: Past, Present, and Future

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immigrants have fled. With the constant repetition of how these bad aliens are illegally entering our<br />

country, fear of them is circul<strong>at</strong>ing into h<strong>at</strong>e.<br />

The tragedy of 911 was a horrific day where ordinary individuals did extraordinary things to<br />

protect the lives of others. On th<strong>at</strong> day, many people came together without the worry of race, religion or<br />

ethnicity. Th<strong>at</strong> day America was truly united for the sake of saving ones fellow man. But unfortun<strong>at</strong>ely<br />

the courage <strong>and</strong> unity of th<strong>at</strong> day was short lived. President George W. Bush decided to make a rebuttal to<br />

the <strong>at</strong>tack on the world trade center in front of our n<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>and</strong> n<strong>at</strong>ions throughout the world. After the fall<br />

of the twin towers our own president said in front of the entire world th<strong>at</strong> America would be unleashing a<br />

―crusade‖ on terrorism. (Europe Cringes) Though it seems to some as just a slight reference to violence,<br />

psychologist Albert B<strong>and</strong>ura has reliable evidence th<strong>at</strong> even small dehumanizing comments can affect<br />

people‘s <strong>at</strong>titudes <strong>and</strong> judgments. Many failed to realize th<strong>at</strong> a crusade was a two hundred year war were<br />

Romans slaughter millions of Muslims to retain Christian control over the world. (Crusades) Psychologist<br />

Stanley Milgram also concluded th<strong>at</strong> mentally healthy people can be lead to partake in heinous acts when<br />

encouraged by officials. Though Americans weren‘t told directly to mistre<strong>at</strong> Muslim <strong>and</strong> immigrant<br />

Americans, Bush‘s hint of having a crusade against terrorism, according to B<strong>and</strong>ura, is enough of a push<br />

to trigger neg<strong>at</strong>ive behavior. The New York Times found an increase of h<strong>at</strong>e acts towards Arab<br />

immigrants after 911. (After 911) Other immigrants were also stereotyped <strong>and</strong> mistre<strong>at</strong>ed because they<br />

looked similar to Middle Eastern immigrants.<br />

The Media can be used for entertainment on a rainy day or it can be a tool to subliminally mold<br />

the masses into believing wh<strong>at</strong> the rulers behind the media wants us to believe in. America has become<br />

so <strong>at</strong>tached to the media th<strong>at</strong> few are aware of the hold the entertainment world has on them. Traditional<br />

values have been replaced with a non-ceasing list of wants <strong>and</strong> needs. The structure of American society<br />

is causing minorities to be stereotyped as lazy <strong>and</strong> unwilling to learn. This so called ‗culture of poverty‘ is<br />

in reality the effects of the sticky floor affect, which limits minorities from excelling beyond expect<strong>at</strong>ions.<br />

America, a country th<strong>at</strong> once thrived with the pride of being unique, is now a narcissistic country<br />

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