Eesha Week 9: Power in the Hands of Another
Power in the Hands of Another
Are our lives truly ours? Or are they portrayed as such in order to conceal the fact that they truly aren't?
History can answer this question better than anyone. For centuries, time after time, historical events showcase and prove to us that the power over our lives lies in the hands of a higher authority. The Great Depression is a great example of this. Caused by the Stock Market Crash of 1929, the Depression was kickstarted by higher interest rates, overprodction of agriculture, and overinflated shares. This era took a great toll on the nation's lives as unemployment rates and reduced incomes due to bank failures held an immense amount of power over the way people could survive.
During this time of economic devastation, a substantial amount of the government's money was enlisted towards the support of the aftermath of World War I. With the increase in prices placed on resources, civilians' were drowning in a world of debt. World War I and the Depression are simply two of countless other occurrences that demonstrate that people had and do not have any authority over their own lives.
Whatever the government says goes. They control the way we live, how we live, and even if we live. With consequences like imprisonment and execution in place, people feel a lack of liberty when an authoritative figure instructs them to perform an action. When a single father loses his only job, his entire lifestyle can be altered and impacted. The joy stripped from this family's existence as his daughter asks for a new toy.
Terms like inflation and unemployment have long tormented people's lives simply because it is something out of their control. But what if this was in their control? What if people had the power to dictate their own lives despite the circumstances of the outside world? Catastrophic events like the Great Depression wouldn't have been as greatly depressing, that's for sure. This ultimately goes to show that power lies not in our own hands but in the hands of another.
Hi Eesha! I enjoyed reading your blog about how American citizens really have control of their lives when socio-economic conditions change and influence society. I specifically enjoyed how you included historical evidence, as like yourself, I also enjoy looking back in time as I find consulting the past is the best way to learn from previous mistakes. I find it interesting how you chose the Crash of 1929 as an example, which was caused by over inflated shares and hypergrowth of the roaring 20s; however, I feel it can also be applied to the inflated house market and subsequent crash of 2008 to answer the question and topic you pose. An average and model citizen had no power or inclination for the suspense and coming fall of the market caused by loan sharks and adjustable yield rates. It was the politicians, bankers, and brokers who had the power to cause this devastating event in American history, unsurprisingly the top 1%. Your rhetorical questions helped facilitate my thoughts and I feel effectively engages the audience in this important topic. Although my response does not really answer the question at the root, I feel it is the most accurate response to the query you posed. Thank you for sharing your experiences!
ReplyDeleteHello Eesha! Your blog was an interesting read because it highlighted a topic that affects us all. I loved the way you began with two rhetorical questions that introduced your discussion. Additionally, looking to the past to answer those questions was an excellent choice as it supported your point well. Although your argument is valid—the government does control our lives—I have a different outlook on the matter. When the Founding Fathers drafted the United States Constitution, they believed that its power stemmed from the people. In other words, the government was virtually useless if the people did not give it the power to govern them. Therefore, events like the Great Depression are simply a result of the trust that the people placed in the government centuries ago. That is not to say that the people were at fault, but the government has been given the responsibility to regulate matters. Nevertheless, I understand your point that this power can harm the lives of people without them doing anything. As you mentioned, despite these problems, such as inflation, being out of their control, they are forced to bear the consequences. From that lens, I agree with you about power being in the “hands of another.” However, I do not think that there is much we can do to change it. The power invested in the government is necessary to maintain peace and order, even though it might sometimes lead to glaring issues. The promise that American citizens made centuries ago needs to be kept, and we must simply face any problems together as a nation.
ReplyDeleteHi Eesha! Your exploration of the question about the true ownership of our lives was incredibly thought-provoking for me, as it really put into perspective how little control we have over our lives. The historical perspective, particularly the example of the Great Depression, adds depth to the discussion by serving as an illustration of how macroeconomic forces, such as the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and government policies, can exert a profound influence on people’s lives, highlighting the connection between historical events and the autonomy of individuals. The connection between government actions and individual independence is well-articulated, emphasizing the impact of authoritative decisions on people's lives. I also liked your contemplation of the hypothetical scenario where individuals have more control over their lives, offering a glimpse into a world where catastrophic events might have a different outcome. To enhance your argument, consider exploring counterarguments or addressing potential nuances in the relationship between individual autonomy and external control. I enjoyed reading your blog as it prompts us to contemplate the dynamics of power and influence in shaping our lives.
ReplyDeleteI am now just learning about the Stock Market Crash and the Great Depression it created as a result, so seeing how you've chosen this event as your main focus for this blog could be a great instance of our severe lack of power or control that we have over ourselves. Almost everyone during this time period felt helpless. Even the president of the time beginning the Great Depression, Herbert Hoover, displayed a lack of authority or power, relying on the government to have no interference on the economy's state and hoping it would self-correct itself. Therefore, I can definitely see where your stance on the idea of power lies. as in reality, many uncontrollable events like the Great Depression are the result of power possessed by another. Ironically, even though the government during this time period did nothing with their power to help the desperate, their power was still displayed in such a way that allowed them to even come up with the choice to have no interference on the socio-economic status of the early 1930's.
ReplyDeleteI liked your use of emphasis when you wrote the sentence, "They control the way we live, how we live, and even if we live." Your emphasis on the word "if" really represents how when the power is in the hands of another, the rest of us remain to live our lives as a gamble. This is similar to how the people lived during the Great Depression, where most of them relied on fate in hopes of their lifestyle changing for the better. And that is what the government wanted to happen to them, as unfortunate as it sounds. Your use of parallel structure here was also something I noticed in this blog, as you used rhetorical questions at both the beginning and end of your blog. This especially allowed for the overall writing to blend ideas together smoothly and finish off in a way that even connects with the start, although I feel like I would've liked to hear your answers to these questions. Still, this was an insightful blog revolving around what may be the most tragic, corrupted event in socio-economic history.
Hey Eesha,
ReplyDeleteI was fascinated by the linguistic genius utilized in creating this masterful blog. I was intrigued by your vivid detailing of a father's unemployment negatively impacting his family to highlight the destructive nature of the depression--the destruction people in power are capable of bestowing upon average citizens. Although the assumption of everyone being under the control of people of power is overly conclusive, the argument certainly has its merits. One merit you explore skillfully is the government's ability to allocate the nation's funds to its desires--in this case world war I--regardless of the consequences it entails--even if the nation's citizens are hurt. Overall, I enjoyed reading your blog because of the new perspective it provided me with about the world war I, great depression, and governmental control over lives of common citizens. One thing that stood out to me is that you only explored one example of your theory, I believe dwelling into a second example would add more intricacy to your argument as a whole. However, the example of the great depression and unique italicizations to emphasize your points make your blog well-written in its current form.