Find the article Suicide isnt just a white people thing. Discuss why the author, Kimya Dennis, found it necessary to write the article. How does this relate to the larger trends we observed when looking at cultural barriers to treatment?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Essay: Suicide Across Cultural Boundaries: Exploring the Need for Diverse Narratives
In the thought-provoking article “Suicide isn’t just a white people thing” by Kimya Dennis, the author delves into the often overlooked issue of suicide within non-white communities. Dennis sheds light on the pervasive misconception that suicide is predominantly a problem among white individuals and challenges this narrative by highlighting the prevalence of suicide in diverse cultural groups. Through this article, Dennis aims to address the lack of representation and awareness surrounding mental health struggles and suicide within non-white communities.
Challenging Misconceptions and Breaking Stigmas
Dennis found it necessary to write this article to challenge the prevailing stereotype that mental health issues, including suicide, only affect white individuals. By bringing attention to the experiences of non-white individuals, Dennis hopes to debunk this harmful misconception and shed light on the reality that mental health struggles do not discriminate based on race or ethnicity.
Moreover, Dennis recognizes the damaging impact of cultural stigma and shame surrounding mental health within non-white communities. By speaking out and sharing stories from diverse cultural perspectives, Dennis aims to break down these barriers and encourage open conversations about mental health issues, including suicide.
Cultural Barriers to Treatment
The article’s exploration of suicide in non-white communities is reflective of larger trends observed when examining cultural barriers to mental health treatment. In many non-white cultures, mental health issues are often stigmatized and viewed as taboo topics for discussion. This stigma can prevent individuals from seeking help and accessing appropriate mental health care.
Furthermore, cultural norms and beliefs may influence how mental health issues are perceived and addressed within non-white communities. Traditional healing practices, family dynamics, and religious beliefs can all play a role in shaping attitudes towards mental health treatment and support.
By highlighting the prevalence of suicide across cultural boundaries and addressing the unique challenges faced by non-white individuals in accessing mental health care, Dennis’s article underscores the importance of promoting culturally sensitive approaches to mental health support. Recognizing and addressing the cultural barriers that exist is essential in ensuring that individuals from all backgrounds have access to the resources and support they need to address their mental health concerns.
In conclusion, Kimya Dennis’s article “Suicide isn’t just a white people thing” serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of diverse narratives in understanding and addressing mental health issues, including suicide. By challenging misconceptions, breaking stigmas, and highlighting cultural barriers to treatment, Dennis’s work contributes to a broader conversation about the need for inclusive and culturally sensitive approaches to mental health care. It is through such efforts that we can work towards creating a more supportive and inclusive environment for individuals of all backgrounds who may be struggling with mental health challenges, including thoughts of suicide.
