Auschwitz: A History Lesson for Today

This Southern Girl
Jan 24, 2017
3 min read

"Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it" - George Santayana

I've never disagreed with this statement but in the last few months I have really begun to understand the importance and gravity of these simple and short words of wisdom. Our world will always be changing and change will always be unsettling. However, the current political climate across the globe has left me feeling tense and uncertain. I've accused others of being afraid of progress and questioned myself of acting out of fear of change as well. We will never know the future, but if there is one thing that is certain - it is history. It was for this reason I felt it to be of great importance that I visit Auschwitz on a recent trip to Poland.

I was strangely conflicted leading up to the trip. I wasn't excited or really even looking forward it. Even before walking on the grounds I understood the sadness of what had taken place in that spot. The number of lives taken, the sadness, the mistreatment, the sick, vile mentality that allows one group to think they are more superior to others is nauseating.

We were gathered in small groups outside the famous gates "Arbeit macht frei" meaning "work will set you free." The guide explained how so many people were brought from across the continent to this sight. In many cases they were sold the trip and even came willingly under the false pretense that they would be safe. They were separated from wives, husbands, children at the gates and either gassed or put to work, barely fed and beaten until they died. The guide led us through the camp sight explaining the conditions and expectations of camp residents. Imagine the person sharing the hay cot with you could die in the middle of the night and you'd have to lie next to his or her cold body until the morning. Imagine your unborn baby being ripped from your body or your infant from your arms and watched as solders carried them into a gas chamber. Imagine your head being shaved so the Nazi's could make socks, line soldiers' boots, and make seat cushions and upholstery. In one room on the tour there was a display of 7000 pounds of human hair. In another room a pile of items filling an Olympic-size pool. The items were small - a mug, spoon, plate, etc. Each item represented one person killed at this camp alone. Auschwitz is only one of many work and death camps in which six million Jews and over five million others tragically lost their lives.

To say that this behavior is despicable is an understatement, as the reality of the atrocities of the Holocaust can't really be articulated. Yet we tell ourselves "This will never happen again," "it was a different time," and "It would be impossible." We make excuses because even the reality that this has occurred before seems impossible. We must remember Hitler didn't get voted into power on these principles. He appealed to the fear of everyday people. He gathered a small army of followers who felt he could do no wrong and then he ruled to his own liking. It is in these times that we must remember those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it. And it is for this reason that Auschwitz still stands and welcomes visitors today. It is a reminder that history is there to guide us and teach us - to remind us.

Please let's not ignore what's happening around us. Let's not wait until it's too late to stand up. Let's not repeat history with a different race or religious group.