The Importance Of Visit To The Holocaust Museum

The importance of visiting the Holocaust Museum

Throughout history individuals from different societies have had their rights restricted by others to the point where genocides have been committed. These genocides did not erupt in one day, but rather gradually, which normalized the process. Initially placing individuals into categories which are considered inferior creates circumstances conducive for genocide. Genocides require many factors to come into play, but throughout history, we have seen their reoccurrence. The Holocaust is a genocide that resulted in the death of twelve million individuals. The horrendous events which happened during this genocide should be remembered not only so that we are able to recognize the indicators of similar situations, but also so that we may learn about the effects of the event. It is important to visit the Holocaust Museum to gain knowledge about an event which profoundly changed the world.

During the Holocaust, millions of people perished, but most people are under the impression that only Jews were persecuted.

In reality, the population that died was composed of various other minorities. In fact, the first individuals to be persecuted were those individuals who were in or were perceived to be in the communist party. These individuals opposed the Nazi Party which created resistance to the plan Adolf Hitler envisioned. Among the other victims of persecution were Roma Gypsies, Jehovah witnesses, Polish citizens, homosexuals, transgender individuals, the disabled, and people of color. Society should fully be aware of all the victims of The Holocaust to be able to honor their

lives.

The Holocaust was an event which was rooted in deep prejudice. By visiting the Holocaust Museum individuals can see the power stereotypes and prejudice have. Individuals need to see the strong power of marginalizing individuals and placing them in categories of “us” versus “them” in which the “them” are inferior. Name calling, discrimination, stereotypes, categorization, and prejudice were all driving factors that led to the Holocaust. Visiting the museum is an essential part of the process of teaching an individual to recognize these indicators. After the Holocaust, the world uttered the words “never again.” However, since the end of The Holocaust, there have been numerous genocides. If more individuals were aware of the indicators of these events then possibly lives could have been saved.

The Holocaust is an event which can be viewed through the perspective of four different groups: the victims, the perpetrators, the rescuers, and the bystanders. By learning about The Holocaust, society can grasp the fundamental effect that the rescuers had on individuals. By learning about people that helped such as, Chiune Sugihara or Oskar Schindler, it can be seen how important and influential rescuers can be. If those bystanders had spoken up about the injustices that were being performed, lives could have been saved. The power of a voice is enormous if bystanders had become rescuers. Understanding the implications of staying silent is necessary to all people to understand, as they must recognize that they too were the issue.

There is a certain responsibility which every person who lived during The Holocaust faced. Many nations turned their backs and ignored the initial events that gradually transformed into the Holocaust.

The Holocaust was a complex event, but many individuals’ education of it is summed up in a couple brief sentences. However, this event shaped the journeys of so many lives of individuals. Everyone should visit the Holocaust Museum to understand each complex factor that led to this genocide and the effects it had on the world.