BY KADRAE SMITH
The American Democracy Project facilitates discussion between the FHSU community the Tiger Talk board located in the front lobby of the Memorial Union.
This week on the #Tigertalkback board, the prompt this week was the following: The acts committed against Rohingya Muslims in Burma have been characterized as ethnic cleansings. Should the U.S. Intervene? Why or Why not? Similar to previous weeks, various students write comments on the board to create buzz and discussion. The comments are written in this story are direct translations, so please excuse the grammatical errors.
“America First” is seen in multiple places on the board.
“So we would send American troops to die. For people that would do the same.”
On many places on the whiteboard, the word No is written by presumably different students. Yet in the middle somebody wrote “Our response before Pearl Habor” there are then arrows connecting that phrase too many of the “No’s”.
“We are not the World Police”. And other similar statements can be seen across the board.
Many students are not openly saying yes or no, however, seem to be implying that they would like the US to do something. “The reason U.S.A is so beautiful and strong is because of its ability to help those in need. Where would we be if we never intervened in WW2? We can prevent this before people are hurt.”
Another perspective is that the US may not be capable in its current state to intervene.
“Trying to intervene with someone else’s issues while we have too many of our own is like being a therapist while dealing with the severe bipolar disorder. If you keep sacrificing yourself, you’ll destroy yourself and then you won’t be able to help ever again, even when the situation get’s absolutely detrimental. It sucks, but that’s the way the circle of life and plain reality works.”
“The board is important because it provokes thought. We cannot go too far in depth with our questions so most of the time students have to fill in the blanks and explain their arguments. We encourage civil discourse on the board.” Said John Colclazier, Co-Director of the American Democracy Project.
Continue the discussion on Twitter and Facebook using #tigertalkback, with a new question posted every Monday.