Friday 27 January 2012

Who are we not forgetting again?

Today is 'Holocaust Memorical Day' and, going to school in an area with a large Jewish population, we had an assesmbly. I don't accept comments like 'why do we still bother with this day?' because I think if we start to forget the horror of the Holocaust, that's when we open ourselves up to the chance of history repeating itself in that way. However, at the same time, many of my friends feel that since it is so important to remember the millions of Jewish people murdered, it is so important to remember the millions of others who were targeted... Communists, Trade Unionists, Gypsies, the mentally disabled, Homosexuals, non-white people (not 'suiting' the Arian image) and other political opponents.

The widely-used number associated with the Holocaust is 6 million. 6 million Jews were murdered by the Nazis. However, counting all those who were persecuted, the figure would be between 11 million and 17 million.

The definition of Holocaust (in terms of Nazi Germany) is: "The mass murder of Jews under the German Nazi regime during the period 1941–45." Personally, I agree with those who say that the Holocaust should include everyone the Nazis persecuted.

Ps. Sorry for such a somber/depressing topic!

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