Humanities Homework Help

I’m trying to study for my Latin American Studies course and I need some help to understand this question.

Alexander poses a central question: Is the suffering of others also our own?

Historical events have resulted in the oppression of some populations due solely to their being members of a particular culture. During these events, these people’s suffering was overlooked by larger world populations. This suffering will give rise to “memory residues” that appear in popular culture and art.

One way in which the suffering is expressed is through trauma literature. This literature tells the stories of people who are affected by larger cultural trauma.

Alexander claims that, when we do not recognize people’s suffering, we can come to believe we have no role in easing that suffering and that, in fact, our own suffering occurs because of these people. According to Alexander, only when the victims are presented as people who share characteristics with members of non-oppressed societies will the larger societies become motivated to help end the suffering.

After reading the chapter, what are your thoughts on the stories of suffering people?
In 250 to 750 words and in paragraph form, answer the following questions. Try to formulate a well-thought out presentation of your thoughts instead of answering one by one. Refer to the article in your response. You are expected to provide evidence of having read the article.  

• Where do we find the stories of people who have no power in society?
• How do personal stories or personal relationships with marginalized groups help non-marginalized groups understand marginalized people’s experiences?
• How might the stories of immigrants help fight anti-immigrant bias?
• Why might we need trauma literature as a society?