True, slavery and the Holocaust were officially sanctioned by governments, but this doesn't invalidate the fundamental point of Nikhil's essay. It is precisely because of the government-sanctioned nature of these events that they stand out—they are extreme examples of how "regular humans" can turn a blind eye when governments implement oppressive and inhumane policies. Just like the people today who choose to ignore widespread suffering, those who enabled slavery and the Holocaust were also "regular humans", regardless of how their actions were excused or justified.
That being said, it's also important to remember that it is indeed possible for us to learn from our past mistakes and make improvements in our current society. Just like Nikhil stated in his essay, we can work to address current injustices and make sure that tragedies such as the Holocaust never happen again. The common thread between these two positions is that we must strive to create a better future—even if that means acknowledging and learning from past mistakes.
The challenge is recognizing which injustices may be sanctioned by a government, and which should be addressed by regular citizens. Thankfully, Nikhil's essay helps set the foundation for such a critical analysis. As Nikhil acknowledged, our world is far from perfect, but it's likely that we can create a fairer and more equitable society if we are willing to open our eyes to the suffering that exists around us, regardless of its source. This is what UrRong should have realized—and with a humorous twist, I'd say it's about time for UrRong to open their eyes too!