Holocaust Speaker

Rueben (the speaker) answering a question

A couple of weeks ago, we had a Holocaust survivor visit campus and talk to us. His talk was so moving; almost everyone in the audience cried. I thought it was interesting to see how the experience affected him and the way he thinks about the world.

I love the fact that he is dedicated to justice and making sure nothing like the Holocaust happens again. His main message it seemed was to make sure that we understood that the only way for evil to prevail is for good people to say nothing. It really inspired me to want to help others.

His talk reaffirmed for me the importance of caring about other people. Many things that happened in the Holocaust were known by many of the neighboring countries and even the U.S., but we did not try and stop it.

It’s just like Martin Niemöller’s quote:

“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out–

Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out–

Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out–

Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me–and there was no one left to speak for me.”

I think it is important to not only remember the past, but we must also understand it to prevent these types of things from happening.

All in all, I felt so lucky to have met him and to have learned from what he had to say. I love the fact that we get these types of opportunities here at McDaniel; I always find inspiration!

(Quote taken from: http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007392)