The Holocaust

[ktbutterfly2011]

Last Feburary I performed in a show callled Brundibar.
It was written by a Jewish man who had been taken to Terezin. He wrote it for the children to perform. It would keep their mind off of things. It was a cute show.
We also had a child survivor of Terezin come in. She played the cat in the show at Terezin. She spoke every night, to a new audience... and looking at their faces and hearing it 10 or 12 times really got to you.
I've never met anyone who believed it didn't happen, but I realize there are some people out there like that. I don't know how i'd handle it if they didn't think it was true.

Ela, the lady who visted us, loved butterflies. There was a poem written by another person in a concentration camp. And although I cant' remember the name I think it was like the Butterfly Poem or something along that lines. Ela also wrote a book herself. I think its called the Cat with the Yellow Star. Her name is Ela(Ella) Weissberger. If you ever wanted to search it. Her book is a children's book though. There is also a book about Brundibar, a children's book, and can probably be found at your local library.

 

[HSMndLKfan92]

I had actually forgotten about this until I read the post above mine.

Last year, we went to see a play about the Holocaust at the local college's campus. The play we saw was called Dear Esther. It was about Esther Terner-Raab, I believe, and her story of the Holocaust. She is a survivor from the Escape from Sobibor.

The guest speaker that visited my school last year was Fred Spiegel. He is a survivor from Bergen-Belsen. He is also the author of Once The Acacias Bloomed: Memories of a Childhood Lost. I still have to read it.

 

[Sparkle_Cherry]

You want to know what I think of the Holocaust? I think it was wrong, and I know that it happened, but it hurts me when people talk about it. It really hurts me, and reduces me to tears, especially since a big part of me is German.

My Opa witnessed his own villagers being shot in the streets, and he was forced to see terrible things that some of our eyes will never see. He was whipped and treated horribly, and he is almost 100% German. My great-grandfathers were forced into the war, because they had no other choice.

My Opa never talks about the war, not because he doesn't believe it happened, but because it pains him so much. I would never ask him to explain what he saw or experienced during that time, because I know that it hurts him too much. But sometimes when I'm sitting with him he might talk about something that happened during the war, and then we will go back to regular conversation. If I wait patiently, he will talk about it when he wants too.

Almost everything I know about the Holocaust I had to learn from my father or from books. I have read a lot of Holocaust books, and all of them seem to say the same thing. I have never found a book about Poles, Russians, Belarusians, Serbs, Africans, Asians, Gypsies, Freemasons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Communists, homosexuals, and the mentally and physically disabled being murdered, when in fact, they were. Primarily victims were Jews, but people tend to forget about how other groups were also deemed inferior and slaughtered.

I have had more than my fair share of people try and tell me that what my ancestors did was wrong, and I am a horrible person because of what they did. When kids at my school found out that I am part-German they called me Nazi when I walked down the halls, and whenever the Holocaust is discussed in class, people stare at me.

When someone finds out that you are a German, the only thing in their mind is: Holocaust. And that hurts me, that they would label you based on something like that. I don't want to feel so obligated anymore, because I owe nobody an apology, and yet everyone expects one. I have done nothing wrong.

~Caitlin

 

[Babyjustrun]

You want to know what I think of the Holocaust? I think it was wrong, and I know that it happened, but it hurts me when people talk about it. It really hurts me, and reduces me to tears, especially since a big part of me is German.

My Opa witnessed his own villagers being shot in the streets, and he was forced to see terrible things that some of our eyes will never see. He was whipped and treated horribly, and he is almost 100% German. My great-grandfathers were forced into the war, because they had no other choice.

My Opa never talks about the war, not because he doesn't believe it happened, but because it pains him so much. I would never ask him to explain what he saw or experienced during that time, because I know that it hurts him too much. But sometimes when I'm sitting with him he might talk about something that happened during the war, and then we will go back to regular conversation. If I wait patiently, he will talk about it when he wants too.

Almost everything I know about the Holocaust I had to learn from my father or from books. I have read a lot of Holocaust books, and all of them seem to say the same thing. I have never found a book about Poles, Russians, Belarusians, Serbs, Africans, Asians, Gypsies, Freemasons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Communists, homosexuals, and the mentally and physically disabled being murdered, when in fact, they were. Primarily victims were Jews, but people tend to forget about how other groups were also deemed inferior and slaughtered.

I have had more than my fair share of people try and tell me that what my ancestors did was wrong, and I am a horrible person because of what they did. When kids at my school found out that I am part-German they called me Nazi when I walked down the halls, and whenever the Holocaust is discussed in class, people stare at me.

When someone finds out that you are a German, the only thing in their mind is: Holocaust. And that hurts me, that they would label you based on something like that. I don't want to feel so obligated anymore, because I owe nobody an apology, and yet everyone expects one. I have done nothing wrong.

~Caitlin

People who do not like you because of where you came from, or what people who were from the same country as your ancestors need to get their brains done.
We cannot change what people did, and people need to stop stereotyping Germans. That was a long time ago, and not every German was like that. My friend hopes to travel abroad to Germany some year, she loves the country, the people and the language. It just makes me wish people could be more like her and realize there is more to Germany than that war.

 

[pigletgirl]

Have any of you seen the Pianist? It's awesome. I also love Saving Private Ryan. Its pretty intense, but I still love it.

 

[TOT_Princess_412]

A survivor of the holocaust came to our school last year ... it was really touching...he told us about the concentration camps .. and what some people would do its just horrifying...a really good book is Number The Stars by Louis Lowry its historical fiction during the holocaust.

 

[Sparkle_Cherry]

Hannah's Suitcase had a huge affect on me, I liked that book. I also liked Hitler Youth.

I was never much for The Diary of Anne Frank or any of Louis Lowry's books. Gabby's Dresser didn't really impress me either.

~Caitlin

 

[ktbutterfly2011]

I have had more than my fair share of people try and tell me that what my ancestors did was wrong, and I am a horrible person because of what they did. When kids at my school found out that I am part-German they called me Nazi when I walked down the halls, and whenever the Holocaust is discussed in class, people stare at me.

When someone finds out that you are a German, the only thing in their mind is: Holocaust. And that hurts me, that they would label you based on something like that. I don't want to feel so obligated anymore, because I owe nobody an apology, and yet everyone expects one. I have done nothing wrong.

~Caitlin

Stereotyping is what people do. I know people are all "STOP THE LABLEING! etc." but seriously, its never gonna happen until people start following the golden rule. You're unfortunate enough to come from a background that is infamous of bad things. I know just because people come from a certain background doesn't mean they'll do certain things but its called stereotyping. Just look at someone else, someone who has a heritage, but their heritage isn't infamous for anything. Look at my friend Tony for instance. He's Italian. And everybody knows it. Now some people will probably think "Oh, he eats pasta every day." Or "Oh, he must have a huge family" Or "Oh, his family must be really loud." Well in all reality he makes fun of me because i'm loud. I'm sorry that you're treated that way, but I just wanted you to realize everyone goes through background labeling.

 

[HSMndLKfan92]

You want to know what I think of the Holocaust? I think it was wrong, and I know that it happened, but it hurts me when people talk about it. It really hurts me, and reduces me to tears, especially since a big part of me is German.

I'm mostly Polish, but I'm also German. It tears me apart knowing that most of the victims of the Holocaust were Polish.

Hitler was born in Austria, not Germany. He escaped from Austria during World War I.

Its not the Germans who I blame, it's Hitler. He was clever enough to brainwash those people into thinking what he did was right. He was also clever enough to make it seem like the Holocaust was the people's fault; when really, it was his.

 

[Loves Disney]

I'm mostly Polish, but I'm also German. It tears me apart knowing that most of the victims of the Holocaust were Polish.

Hitler was born in Austria, not Germany. He escaped from Austria during World War I.

Its not the Germans who I blame, it's Hitler. He was clever enough to brainwash those people into thinking what he did was right. He was also clever enough to make it seem like the Holocaust was the people's fault; when really, it was his.

I blame Nietzsche.

 

[Sparkle_Cherry]

I'm mostly Polish, but I'm also German. It tears me apart knowing that most of the victims of the Holocaust were Polish.

Hitler was born in Austria, not Germany. He escaped from Austria during World War I.

Its not the Germans who I blame, it's Hitler. He was clever enough to brainwash those people into thinking what he did was right. He was also clever enough to make it seem like the Holocaust was the people's fault; when really, it was his.

Precisely Jaimie. It was Hitler's fault, and because of where the events took place, the whole place is stereotyped.

~Caitlin

 

[Sparkle_Cherry]

Stereotyping is what people do. I know people are all "STOP THE LABLEING! etc." but seriously, its never gonna happen until people start following the golden rule. You're unfortunate enough to come from a background that is infamous of bad things. I know just because people come from a certain background doesn't mean they'll do certain things but its called stereotyping. Just look at someone else, someone who has a heritage, but their heritage isn't infamous for anything. Look at my friend Tony for instance. He's Italian. And everybody knows it. Now some people will probably think "Oh, he eats pasta every day." Or "Oh, he must have a huge family" Or "Oh, his family must be really loud." Well in all reality he makes fun of me because i'm loud. I'm sorry that you're treated that way, but I just wanted you to realize everyone goes through background labeling.

I already realized that everyone goes through similar background labelling, I didn't really need you to tell me that. Because I am labelled I try not to label other people based on their family backgrounds; I know that just because I am treated ignorantly, doesn't mean that I should treat other people with ignorance as well.

Does it mean that I am supposed to be treated like trash, just because other people are labelled for eating pasta? I should take it because it happens to everyone? I think there is quite a significant difference between saying someone eats pasta, and saying someone will turn out to be a racist murderer.

I have friends that come from many different backgrounds. Punjabi, Spanish, Irish, German, Czech, English, Serbian; yes, even Italian. And my Italian friend's favourite food is sushi.

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As for the bolded part in your statement, that is exactly what I mean when I say we are stereotyped. The Holocaust ruined peoples' images for my family's country. There are other countries that are still infamous for bad things, like degrading women and beheading people with swords. It doesn't mean that everyone from that country is going to come to North America, rape a woman, and then assasinate the President/Prime Minister.

Every country is infamous for something, it's just ignorance that makes people think of bloodshed when they think of a certain country.

~Caitlin

 

[HSMndLKfan92]

Precisely Jaimie. It was Hitler's fault, and because of where the events took place, the whole place is stereotyped.

~Caitlin

Yes. No one's ever said anything to my face about having ancestors from Poland and Germany. God forbid my great-great grandfather from Germany supported Hitler. God forbid my great-great grandparents stayed in Poland.

They came here for a reason, but if they didn't, and I had ancestors who supported this evil man, I probably would not be here right now typing this.

 

[ktbutterfly2011]

I already realized that everyone goes through similar background labelling, I didn't really need you to tell me that. Because I am labelled I try not to label other people based on their family backgrounds; I know that just because I am treated ignorantly, doesn't mean that I should treat other people with ignorance as well.

Does it mean that I am supposed to be treated like trash, just because other people are labelled for eating pasta? I should take it because it happens to everyone? I think there is quite a significant difference between saying someone eats pasta, and saying someone will turn out to be a racist murderer.
I have friends that come from many different backgrounds. Punjabi, Spanish, Irish, German, Czech, English, Serbian; yes, even Italian. And my Italian friend's favourite food is sushi.

------------------------------------------------------------------

As for the bolded part in your statement, that is exactly what I mean when I say we are stereotyped. The Holocaust ruined peoples' images for my family's country. There are other countries that are still infamous for bad things, like degrading women and beheading people with swords. It doesn't mean that everyone from that country is going to come to North America, rape a woman, and then assasinate the President/Prime Minister.

Every country is infamous for something, it's just ignorance that makes people think of bloodshed when they think of a certain country.

~Caitlin

Right. Thats exactly what I was saying. I see your point about the thing I bolded.

I'm not sure how to word my arugument to this. Its one of those things where when its in your head it makes complete sense and when you say it out loud, its stupid sounding.

I would NEVER profile you, because I've met people, who have lived through this. I feel compassion for anyone mocked or labeled because of their heritage.

 

[BabyPiglet]

Whoever blames you for what happened in the 1940's are some pretty stupid people.

Whoever says that just becasue you are German you are going to grow up to be a serial killer are stupid.

If that was me, I wouldn't take it. They're being rascist.

It was Hitler and the army and the officials and the churches the bureaucrats, the railroads, the post offices, chemical plants, and other places and people. These things all helped Hitler's journey to make everyone he thought to be below him dead. Killed by some of the most gross, sick ways of killing people.

I'm Russian, my grandmother as a child migrated to America with her mother and sisters. Don't even let me get started, about the stuff she tells me. Her stories, like I said don't let me get started...

 

[#1DisneyFreak]

The holocaust really happened.

 

[BabyPiglet]

The holocaust really happened.

WOW this thread is old...

Wow!

 

[T.O'Brizzle]

its not that people are debating whether it happened, they are just saying that its an exaggeration. like that 11 million people didnt die, it was more like in the thousands. people can believe what they want, but there are rooms and rooms and rooms of paperwork kept by the nazi party of the holocaust. those kinds of numbers can't really be tossed aside; but then again people will always be ignorant.

taryn;;

 

[Sparx]

WOW this thread is old...

Wow!

several of mine have been bumped by the same poster.

 

[milkabum]

Well since I was about 10 years old I've been obsessed about books concerning Jewish people during the Holocaust. My favorite books were books from the eyes of the children. Some of my favorite were - The Diary of Anne Frank - Behind the Cuboard - Night - Dawn - Tell Me we remeber...

Anyway, I heard recently on the news that some people are specualting that The Holocaust didn't even happen. ???

Tell me what you think of the Holocaust...

That makes me almost cry to think that..

By the way, if you like books like that you should check out "The Secret of Gabi's Dresser" by Kathy Kacer. It's really good!