Oh gods I feel sick

[khashka]

I've been reading about the Holocaust. I have friends who survived Dachau. I've avoided this for years but finally decided I needed to know.

And I can't believe it. Is it possible that people can be that cruel? Yes. They can. And it makes me sick.


Khash.

[WCGreen]

1. It's almost to horrible to think about....

But, then there it is...

It's sad to think human beings can be so cruel in the name of ephemeral passions such as religion and nationalism...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Yes, my dear Khash, people can be that cruel......

Have you seen the movie "Schindler's List"?

See it if you haven't.....it will help you enormously.....

My husband and I saw it in the theater and when we came out, we didn't say anything for about 5 minutes.....

MOST unusual for us...a very moving and wonderful film....

:loveya: :hug:

[cynatnite]

12. When I saw it, nobody in the entire theater spoke at all...

No one could speak. Everyone should see it.

[LeftyMom]

3. I'm sorry Khash

:hug:

[khashka]

4. There is a flip side to this coin

Instead of focusing on the horror..... I should look to those who did survive. And learn from them. Learn something about strength and the ability to trumph in in the face of pure evil.

Like I said, I have friends who survived the Holocaust. Time for me to listen to them, learn from them. Still it's tough... making love to a man and kissing his hands and then seeing that goddamn awful tattoo on his wrist. It hurts. It makes me sick.


Khash.

[LeftyMom]

5. I think the best thing we can do

to deal with the worst evils of human behavior is to fight against it with everything we have to give. Bottling it up and making ourselves miserable helps no one, but fighting to change things just might.

At least that's what I tell myself when my own struggles with the most selfish and evil aspects of human behavior really get to me. It helps me cope a little better.

[cssmall]

6. But, they do no remove it, khash.

For that reason, I do not understand, but I would think it is for that exact memory you are looking to have explained to you. Perhaps, I'm wrong though.

[alphafemale]

9. Also...the poeple who risked their own lives to hide/help others

As well as those who just out-thought them like Schindler. of the list

[khashka]

10. Yeah

I should look to the people who risked themselves to help others. Who proved what we are capable of. Respect is due or at least heartfelt thanks. In the darkest part of our history, there were people who shone brightly and with beauty. The best we are capable of being.

Khash.

[NMMNG]

7. It is indeed possible

And what is worse, people don't learn from history, and are currently repeating it. True it is not yet to the full extent of Dachau and Aushwitz. But with Gitmo, Abu Ghraib and other torture prisons, as well as the war in Iraq it's not so far behind. :-(

[khashka]

8. Yeah Buffy that's what really scares me

We didn't learn. And it hasn't got that bad yet... but it can. Easily.

But we have people like you and me and other DUers who will stand up and say "NO! Not again."

Khash.

[nytemare]

11. Try reading "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl

He was interred, and lost his family in the war, and founded a new form of psychotherapy based on his experiences.

Quite a strong man.

[FunkyLeprechaun]

13. I'm sorry, Khash.

You should go to DC's Holocaust Museum. It will prove to be the most harrowing experience you'll have. I didn't want to go in the first place but curiosity got the better of me.

They had videos which I didn't see because I couldn't bring myself to watch them. Just the exhibits (the badges, the shirts, the barracks, the cattle car, etc). Amazing, in a sad way, how pronounced an item is once you find out what it was used for.