Essay Sample on Holocaust

Knowledge and understanding of the Holocaust continue to dwindle as time moves forward and remembrance fades. New generations are focusing their attention on current events and are not as educated on the tragic and horrific events that occurred for more than ten years in our world’s history. History books, films and school classes are beginning to be our only source left of education on this event in history. However, it is just as important to continue to remember the survivors’ legacies and the more than 11 million people that were brutally murdered during the Holocaust. We need to be educated on the facts, respect the individuals that are still impacted today, and remember the events and stories of all involved in the Holocaust. Kluger’s Still Alive, Spiegelman’s Maus, and my personal experience, all capture stories of survivors and exemplify the importance of remembering those who suffered through the Holocaust. 

In Ruth Kluger’s novel, Still Alive, she unpacks the concept of survivors and those impacted by the Holocaust never being able to forget their experiences. Their memory of the experiences they endured are things that one can not forget and will always haunt them. Many of the survivors are left with trauma, PTSD and depression. Their life was changed forever due to the Holocaust and the dehumanization they were forced to undergo. Kluger writes about her unforgettable and traumatizing experiences that stripped her of her basic freedoms, “we got our ID numbers tattooed on our left arms...the tattoo produced a new alertness in me. Thanks to the dog tag under my skin, I was suddenly so aware of the enormity, the monstrosity, really, of my situation” (Kluger 98). The Nazis used these tattoos as a form of dehumanization. They can never be removed and are permanent not only to their bodies but also to their memories. Every day the survivors see the tattoo and are taken back to the horrible environment and treatment they went through while part of the Holocaust. Kluger shows through her novel that the Holocaust severely affected the lives of many and it needs to be remembered now and forever. 

Furthermore, in Maus, we see a consistent theme of remembrance as well. Spiegelman shares stories of a survivor of the Holocaust, Valdek, who is Artie’s father. These stories enlighten Artie and educate him on what truly happened during the years of the Holocaust. Artie begins to feel guilty because of what his family had to endure and learns that his life cannot be taken for granted. The guilt that Artie feels can be shown when he states, “ I know this is insane, but I somehow wish I had been in Auschwitz with my parents so I could really know what they lived through! I guess it’s some kind of guilt…” (Spiegleman 6). The second-hand trauma Artie feels through guilt shows the importance of these stories passed down and just how intense these feelings are. These traumatic events are remembered by family members and society through stories and it is important to continue to pass them down through mouth and text so that they, along with the victims and survivors, cannot be forgotten. 

Lastly, I was able to see remembrance in action this semester when I had the chance to visit the Ohio Holocaust and Liberators Memorial. This memorial proudly stands outside of the Ohio Statehouse for the public to come honor and remember the Holocaust. A victims story is carved into the memorial and at the very top of the writing it states, “In remembrance of the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust and the millions more including prisoners of war, ethnic and religious minorities, freemasons, homosexuals, the mentally ill, developmentally disabled, and political dissidents who suffered under Nazi Germany.” This statement honors all groups of people who were victims and suggests remembrance of them all as well. While I have never known firsthand an individual who experienced the atrocities of the Holocaust, standing at the base of the Memorial and reading the inscription gave me a sense of awareness and empathy I’ve never felt before. I am glad I was able to visit such an important memorial that speaks for the millions of voices the Holocaust silenced.

Remembrance and awareness are such important parts of our world today, especially with the topic of the Holocaust. We need to be able to carry on the stories of survivors. With remembrance, we will be able to reflect on the past and improve society in the future as well as come to terms with the privilege we inherit with not having to endure the suffering, trauma, and dehumanization many Jews experienced. Remembrance through these specific stories as well as monuments and museums all around the world paint a picture of the truth about the Holocaust and help spread awareness. As a society, we need to continue to remember, spread awareness and acknowledge the stories that millions of Jews went through in order to never forget. Remembrance is crucial to preserving and honoring the victims and survivors of the Holocaust. Keeping this history alive and educating generations to come can help to ensure something this horrific is never repeated.