Rarely Volunteer Quote by Chris Bohjalian
““Those who participate in a genocide as well as those who merely look away rarely volunteer much in the way of anecdote or observation. Same with the heroic and the righteous. Usually it's only the survivors who speak-and often they don't want to talk much about it either. p. 75””
About This Quote
The passage points out that both perpetrators and bystanders of atrocities often stay silent, leaving survivors as the primary voices, who may also be reluctant to share.
In simple terms: Both killers and witnesses often stay quiet, leaving survivors to speak, though they may not want to.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the silence of many in tragedies.
Themes
silence
trauma
memory
responsibility
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
narrative
educational
When to use this quote
- historical analysis
- human rights advocacy
- education
- support groups
Key Concepts
ethical duty
psychology of denial
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do people avoid speaking about atrocities?
- How can we encourage truthful testimony without harming survivors?
A Different Perspective
Survivors may be pressured to recount painful experiences.
