A lesson in history

“A country is not just what it does—it is also what it tolerates.” Kurt Tucholsky, German essayist of Jewish origin.

So, Yad Veshem – the Holocaust Museum. Watching the footage of Hitler ranting and raving in the Reichstag and then passing through the streets of Berlin, thousands of people cheering on him, I couldn’t help but marvel (again) at the phenomena of this one man, who with his mad passion and charisma managed to ignite the whole nation; to inspire it with his idea to follow and commit things unspeakable.

Yad Vashem is a Jewish museum (duh!). It’s created and maintained by Jews, and meant for Jews to visit. Its focus lies in showing the whole spectrum of German persecution and annihilation of the Jewish race. The message is loud and clear: Lest we forget what was done to us. I’ve heard opinions that the post-war generation of Jews tends to make the Shoah their new religion and define themselves by it. No doubt there are people who take remembrance too far, but…but. Who am I to judge, really. See the museum materials and you’re reminded that a terrible thing had been done. It is also true, that we, human race, have an enormous capacity of sweeping things under the carpet, should the shovel and broom not be right under their noses. Howgh.

I’ll refrain from writing more, for the fear of getting into some philosophico-political discourse, which is way tedious and not the focus of this blog, but just so you know: this period in history and all that goes with it is a topic close to my heart, and my brain too.