Horror or Strength: Reflecting on the Holocaust

I have always heard about the dreadful Holocaust, how devastating it was for Jews, and how unforgettable it remains. But I never truly sat down to understand it until now. What a painful history for Jewish families. Over six million European Jews were murdered by orders of the German Nazis. This genocide, this ethnic cleansing, took place over a five-year period (1941-1945).

The premeditated attack on European Jews began with Adolf Hitler’s appointment as Chancellor in January 1933. Jews immediately felt the effects of what would be a prolonged assault on their people and religion, spanning over 12 years.

As I delved deeper into my research, it became clearer to me that the Jewish history of suffering is horrific. I could relate to this as a black person, understanding the pain of oppression. However, this story is about the Jews and their unimaginable suffering at the hands of individuals too consumed by hatred to recognize the humanity they were destroying.

It began as early as April 1933 with a total boycott of Jewish businesses and the isolation of Jews from ‘civil society.’ This boycott escalated to physical destruction and vandalism, culminating in what is known as ‘The Night of Broken Glass.’ It is disheartening to know people were oppressed not for their actions, but simply because of their race.

Then came the segregation of Jews into areas dubbed “ghettos” and the creation of detention camps. This segregation facilitated the genocide, referred to as the ‘Final Solution to the Jewish Question.’ The Nazis aimed to exterminate all Jews. Those not murdered by shooting were gassed, worked to death, suffocated, taken to extermination camps, or subjected to inhumane experiments. Nearly 11 million Jews and other marginalized groups, including blacks and individuals with disabilities, perished.

Antisemitism fueled these atrocities, with Jews being blamed for ‘killing Jesus’ and other baseless accusations. They were likened to ‘germs’ and treated with extreme cruelty. The relentless oppression aimed to strip them of their humanity, but despite losing everything, the Jewish people rose above it all. Today, they are recognized for their contributions to business, religion, charity, education, and more. They are among the highest-earning members of American society, according to the National Jewish Population Survey.

The Jewish community continues to commemorate this painful history. Why, after over 86 years, do they still remember this day? Why is there a day set aside for this remembrance? Why pass this memory through generations?

The simple answer: because it is important to the Jews. Because it is crucial to their identity and history. Until you have lived their experiences, you have no right to tell them to get over it. You need to get over your inability to empathize with others’ suffering. How dare you judge them after knowing what they have endured?

To all Jews and people of Jewish descent, my prayers are with you and your families for continued healing. I will never forget what I have learned about the Holocaust, and I have developed a deep respect for the Jewish community worldwide. Not only are you a strong people, but you are also a chosen people.

Slavery, on the other hand…