Respond to this: Environmental factors surely affect the health and wellness of populations. This CNN segment “Breathless” showed low-income families as a vulnerable population as evidence by the poor living conditions leading to disease/illness or in this case asthma. Do you or any of your peers recommend interventions to improve the health of this vulnerable population? Elaborate on “Breathless”
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
The Impact of Environmental Factors on Health: A Response to “Breathless”
Thesis Statement
Environmental factors significantly contribute to the health disparities faced by low-income families, as evidenced in CNN’s “Breathless.” To mitigate these issues, targeted interventions focusing on improving living conditions, increasing access to healthcare, and fostering community engagement are essential.
Introduction
The documentary “Breathless,” produced by CNN, sheds light on the dire circumstances faced by low-income families living in polluted environments. Through compelling narratives, it illustrates how substandard living conditions are intricately linked to health problems such as asthma, which disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. As we assess the findings presented in “Breathless,” it becomes evident that we must consider strategic interventions that can alleviate these health disparities.
Understanding the Impact of Environmental Factors
Poor air quality, inadequate housing, and lack of access to resources play critical roles in the health outcomes of marginalized communities. In “Breathless,” families living near industrial sites are shown suffering from chronic respiratory illnesses exacerbated by environmental toxins. Asthma, a condition characterized by inflamed airways leading to difficulty breathing, is particularly prevalent in these settings. The film highlights how these environmental determinants of health are not merely coincidental; they are the result of systemic inequalities that persist in society.
Recommended Interventions
1. Improving Living Conditions
– Policy Advocacy: Advocating for stricter regulations on industrial emissions can significantly enhance air quality in affected areas. Community leaders and organizations should lobby for government policies that prioritize environmental justice.
– Housing Initiatives: Programs aimed at renovating or relocating families from hazardous environments could mitigate health risks. This includes funding for affordable housing projects that adhere to health and safety standards.
2. Increasing Access to Healthcare
– Mobile Health Clinics: Establishing mobile clinics can help provide immediate care and education about asthma management and prevention strategies in underserved communities.
– Community Health Workers: Training local residents as health workers can bridge the gap between healthcare services and the community, ensuring that families receive proper follow-up care and support.
3. Fostering Community Engagement
– Health Education Programs: Implementing community workshops focused on respiratory health, preventive measures, and the importance of clean environments can empower residents to advocate for their health.
– Support Networks: Creating support groups for families affected by asthma can provide emotional support while facilitating knowledge sharing about coping mechanisms and resources available.
Conclusion
The challenges highlighted in CNN’s “Breathless” serve as a clarion call for action against the environmental injustices faced by low-income families. The connection between poor living conditions and health issues like asthma underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions. By advocating for improved living conditions, increasing access to healthcare, and fostering community engagement, we can create a healthier environment for vulnerable populations. It is crucial that we not only address the symptoms but also the root causes of these disparities to achieve long-lasting change.
