Post by sandych116 on Dec 5, 2012 10:36:30 GMT -5
Ideally, America is the land of the free where people of all races and religion live in harmony, and without prejudice. Yet this theoretical world is far from reality. The values of the US army demonstrate this flaw in the American society because of the obvious conservative actions that the army often takes. Blake Page quit West Point months before his graduation because of the discrimination against atheists. This case demonstrated the oppressive nature of the university through the use of tyranny of consensus.
Blake Page ended up resigning out of frustration because of the army’s tyrannical methods and their unwavering, religiously strict consensus that rejected the secular and praised the sacred. Although there were atheists amongst the students like Page, none ever spoke out against the consensus out of self-preservation. The students realized that in order to keep inside the consensus, they would have to mindlessly follow the authorities’ orders despite the fact that the cadets did not believe in a Christian God. In order to thrive in a religious environment, the students would have to please teachers by pretending to be religious. Yet Page was different, and challenged the authorities. One teacher reprimanded him and warned Blake that he would never become a leader if he does not “fill the hole in his heart.” The teacher saw this defiance as an act influenced by the devil. This action reflected the teacher’s ideology that one is either with or against God and in the same way, with or against the army. Page deemed West Point’s actions unconstitutional for not separating religion from their rules and although people like Blake have mentioned the problem to administration, the university was always reluctant to change. Those with power refused to alter the consensus because they did not want to risk losing their position. Therefore, the leaders of West Point were unwilling to sacrifice their power for the sake of their students and the betterment of the university. This demonstrated the selfishness of the university, to refuse students their basic rights of religion in order to maintain power and keep in the center of the consensus.
Blake Page shares numerous heroic traits with John Proctor, the protagonist in the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller. Proctor spent years growing his reputation and keeping his name clean. Similarly, Page spent years at West Point receiving his education and studying diligently at this academically and physically demanding university. Their hard work paid off, for Proctor was well respected in his community and Page met the rigorous demands from his school. Yet both were willing to sacrifice their hard work in order to stand up for what they believe in. They were one of the few in their societies to oppose the oppressive authority, despite the consequences faced in the after math. Both heroes learned to be selfless by taking into consideration the voices that are ignored by the administration, and encouraging others to speak up for themselves by being a model to look up to. Proctor and Page became martyrs to promote change in a corrupted society which came at a detrimental cost. Although both victims stayed silent at first, their courage led them to do the moral deed and by the end, they were venerated as heroes.
Blake Page ended up resigning out of frustration because of the army’s tyrannical methods and their unwavering, religiously strict consensus that rejected the secular and praised the sacred. Although there were atheists amongst the students like Page, none ever spoke out against the consensus out of self-preservation. The students realized that in order to keep inside the consensus, they would have to mindlessly follow the authorities’ orders despite the fact that the cadets did not believe in a Christian God. In order to thrive in a religious environment, the students would have to please teachers by pretending to be religious. Yet Page was different, and challenged the authorities. One teacher reprimanded him and warned Blake that he would never become a leader if he does not “fill the hole in his heart.” The teacher saw this defiance as an act influenced by the devil. This action reflected the teacher’s ideology that one is either with or against God and in the same way, with or against the army. Page deemed West Point’s actions unconstitutional for not separating religion from their rules and although people like Blake have mentioned the problem to administration, the university was always reluctant to change. Those with power refused to alter the consensus because they did not want to risk losing their position. Therefore, the leaders of West Point were unwilling to sacrifice their power for the sake of their students and the betterment of the university. This demonstrated the selfishness of the university, to refuse students their basic rights of religion in order to maintain power and keep in the center of the consensus.
Blake Page shares numerous heroic traits with John Proctor, the protagonist in the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller. Proctor spent years growing his reputation and keeping his name clean. Similarly, Page spent years at West Point receiving his education and studying diligently at this academically and physically demanding university. Their hard work paid off, for Proctor was well respected in his community and Page met the rigorous demands from his school. Yet both were willing to sacrifice their hard work in order to stand up for what they believe in. They were one of the few in their societies to oppose the oppressive authority, despite the consequences faced in the after math. Both heroes learned to be selfless by taking into consideration the voices that are ignored by the administration, and encouraging others to speak up for themselves by being a model to look up to. Proctor and Page became martyrs to promote change in a corrupted society which came at a detrimental cost. Although both victims stayed silent at first, their courage led them to do the moral deed and by the end, they were venerated as heroes.