A few days ago I had the opportunity to hear a Holocaust survivor speak at our school. Elaine has spoken before, but I wasn't sure if I would get another chance and drug my class along to listen. I love history and the mid-1900's intrigue me. I feel that many don't know that time period as well as they should, especially in light of what happened them shapes our world now.
I have been a bit angry lately and I was afraid that listening to this would make me angrier. I have little tolerance when people mistreat others, and this story seemed ripe for that. But I was surprised and thankful that Elaine had no anger in her words. She did call the Holocaust revisionists morons, but that was an apt description more than angry name calling.
The students were quiet listening to the story of how Elaine was taken with her family from their home in Poland, some shot in the street, and the rest sent to various camps. She described how she lived on no rations, only workers received a starvation ration of food. She being a child didn't receive food. She talked about the daily act of survival and the eventual freeing after four years by the British. Elaine describe her journey to America and the speaking she has done in adulthood.
Then the questions came from students and she answered each one with honesty and directness. The students seemed to sense something good was going on and instead of having to listen to teachers, this was a good chance to hear someone else talk about history.
It was a good hour spent and I am thankful I took the chance.
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I have always loved listening to history from those that have lived it. When I was younger I would haunt old bookstores and libraries and read journals and newspapers from the "olden" days. My grandparents were my best friends. I'm so glad you gave your students the opportunity to hear this woman speak...truth can change us and always for the better.
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