I’m not much of a history buff. I guess I enjoy learning about history a little, but not a lot. However, there’s one era that I do enjoy, if you could call it that (you’ll understand in a second), learning about. I’ve always had an interest in World War II, or more specifically, the Holocaust.
When I was younger, I didn’t really enjoy watching war movies with my parents. But, if it was a story about the Holocaust, I always watched it with them. The Holocaust has always moved me in ways I don’t understand. I guess it speaks to my soul, but not in a happy manner if that makes sense.
Anyway, Corey and I saw Defiance tonight. It’s the story of the Bielski Brothers, a Jewish family from the Nowogrodek ghetto. They helped over 1200 Jews from Belarus and Poland survive during the German invasion of the Soviet Union and Poland. It was a very moving story and I cried many times.
I understand that you may not want to see the movie since it has an R rating. And, the point of my post isn’t really about the movie anyway. The point of my post is more about the Holocaust in general. There are some incredible stories of courage, defiance, and a will to survive that came out of the Holocaust. I’m just sad that the Holocaust had to happen for those stories to come about.
One of the things I don’t understand as I learn more, read about, or watch anything related to the Holocaust is how people can believe it didn’t happen. There’s no question in my mind that it happened and it angers me that people try to minimize it. It was an awful event in our world’s history. I’m just glad there are stories to support the courage of the Jews, and those that helped them, during the Holocaust.
Whether or not you see movies like Defiance or Schindler’s List or movies about the Holocaust that aren’t R-rated, I think it’s important to learn all we can about the Holocaust. Our children need to learn about the atrocities so it’s never forgotten. The men, women, and children who died during the Holocaust deserve that much.
About Jenni Elyse
Gosh, I want to see that movie so badly! I love stories like this one and it doesn’t hurt that Daniel Craig stars in it!
I’m with you on this subject. I believe that in order for history not to repeat itself, we have to remember. I often wonder how brave I would be in the same situation. Would I risk my life and my family for strangers? I would hope so, but I’m not sure. I read a great book, “The Book Thief”. It was such a heart wrenching story. Well worth the time to read it! I highly recommend it.
awesome thoughts jenni.
i think the study of all types of history are important for those very reasons you mentioned: not letting the terrible mistakes of the past repeat themselves.
and how could people say it never happened? have they not seen the numbers tatooed on the arms of the survivors of concentration camps? i was 8 when i saw one for the first time and i still haven’t forgotten it.
i have to second that plug for The Book Thief. It’s probably one of my top 3 favorite books ever.