The article entitled Dying for a Cause – Alone? by Michael Biggs brought up the subject of self-immolation and how it affects the entire world as a form of highly visible protest. Those who set themselves afire do so for important reasons, sometimes prompting an uprising, other times having no effect at all. It is unfortunate that self-immolation has now become a synonym for terrorism.
The originality of the practice predates the advent of terrorist attacks. The actual reason for self-immolation is not to harm others, but to make a statement that can be heard by audiences all over the world in order to foster change in a particular situation. The situations where self-immolation is used are usually socio-political in nature.
He goes on to bring up the way that certain types of protest cause injury to the enemy. However, the article is about self-immolation pointedly and the results of this protest demonstration. The issue of harm to others by way of intentional suicide acts is a different subject altogether which needs its own article.
Those who undertake self-immolation are those who wish to inspire others to take up the banner of changing injustice. It is a message of despair and hope at the same time meant to draw attention, not hurt others.
Works Cited
Biggs, Michael. “Dying for a Cause—Alone?” Contexts. 7.1 (2008): 22–27. Web. 06 July 2015.
