Question

we have been appalled at the depths of depravity revealed by the testimonies before the truth and reconciliation commission. yes, we human beings have remarkable capacity for evil--we have refined ways of being mean and nasty to one another. there have been genocides, holocausts, slavery, racism, wars, oppression, and injustice. question: what is the effect of the phrase \we have refined ways of being mean and nasty to one another\? it makes the audience reflect on human cruelty in a strikingly informal way. it downplays the severity of the atrocities committed. it excuses the perpetrators of violence as part of human nature. it suggests that human beings are naturally kind and peaceful.

Explanation:

The phrase "we have refined ways of being mean and nasty to one another" emphasizes the various forms of human cruelty like genocides, holocausts, etc. It doesn't downplay the severity (so the option about downplaying is wrong). It also doesn't excuse perpetrators (so that option is wrong). And it doesn't suggest humans are naturally kind (so that option is wrong). Instead, it makes the audience reflect on human cruelty in an informal way by listing multiple examples of human - inflicted evils.

Answer:

It makes the audience reflect on human cruelty in a strikingly informal way.