Diversity: Hotel Rwanda and Simon Birch - Essay Example

While I watched the movie I believe that I would not bring myself to do most of the cruel things that people did in the movie. I would not have the courage to harm my fellow countryman. I had mixed emotions such as sadness for the citizens of Rwanda who were made to fight each other and anger for the way the police treated them and for those who killed others. Looking at the Tutsi who were the minority, and were chased from their homes, killed, and tortured, I thought they had every right to retaliate even though they were the minority. I learned that there is a need for care when handling people around you, whether a stranger or a familiar person.

            Simon Birch is based on a young boy born with a growth disability. From watching the movie, I learned that self-belief is important and everything that happens happens for a reason. Looking at the character of Simon Birch, he made me realize that am sympathetic but also realistic by how he still managed to enjoy his early life by being funny, going swimming, and playing baseball.

            The movie made me believe that there is God.  Initially, I thought that most disabled people are sad, hopeless and cannot do anything to help themselves and the people around them. However, this changed after watching the movie and seeing how Simon Birch once saved children from a sinking bus. That made me look at disabled people differently, as people who can also do amazing things. The movie made me respect the disabled, while interacting with them give them credit and believe in them.

            Companies should give equal opportunities to individuals concentrating on their merit and not their race, tribe, nationality, religion, or condition. In the United States, there are 36 million people with disabilities representing 12% of the civilian non-institutionalized population. 34% of disabled citizens in the U.S. are working, their median earnings are approximately $18,865 compared to the able people whose earnings add up to $28,983. Compared to the able people a large percentage of them (21%) live below the poverty line.    

I believe discrimination from employers and a lack of belief in themselves are the main reasons why most disabled people do not work. I believe that if they were assisted in looking for jobs or applying for jobs, and got equal opportunities, then the number of disabled unemployed people would increase. According to disabled people, if they were given equal opportunities, then they can perform as well as the able, they can go to school and attain high grades if assisted promptly. Personally, if I was discriminated against, I would be hurt and bitter. However, I would seek help from the authorities and human rights organizations.