The facts of the Holocaust are well-known, but solutions to prevent further mass genocides have not yet been discovered.
A second-generation Holocaust survivor, Eva Hoffman, presented her life story for Keene State College students on Monday Sept. 15, 2014.
Hoffman is a daughter of Jewish survivors, learning second-hand about her parents’ experiences in Poland.
Hoffman explained that second-generation survivors are in a unique position and must reflect on the genocide differently.
“We have to look at it with a more detached dimension,” Hoffman said.
Hoffman continued to explain that because of the detachment second-generation survivors feel; it is difficult to cope.
Hoffman expounded that if one is mourning someone they know, they are able to come to terms with the loss.
But, she continued, if one is lamenting someone they have no direct ties to, they are in danger of falling into a permanent sorrow.
In order to stop the feelings of guilt, Hoffman said we must acknowledge the lives of the victims and survivors of the genocides.
Madison Strausser, a holocaust and genocide studies major, appreciated Hoffman’s recognition of remembering survivors and victims.
“She talked about recognition and acknowledgment. So I thought that was really important because you don’t want to forget those people,” Strausser said.
Hoffman proceeded when she said we must move forward working towards preventing further mass-atrocities.
“I have lived in a kind of state of astonishment and disbelief that we are faced with these modern genocide[s],” Hoffman said.
Hoffman highlighted the reason two cultures have the competency to turn against one another.
She explained that differences in personal beliefs are often the reason for conflict.
“We have forgotten the power of ideology. The power of ideology is enormous. I think we haven’t known how to respond sufficiently,” Hoffman said.
A N.H. resident and event-attendee, Stephanie Montgomery, explained her ideas for preventing further genocides.
Montgomery said the principal solution is to prove that people are all simply human.
“I really believe in the best way to get people beyond stereotypes of each other is to work together; manual labor. Suddenly, the person you fear or have an automatic dislike of is a person and they’ll see you the same way,” Montgomery said.
Similarly to Montgomery’s statement, Hoffman touched on distance between cultures as the reason people harbor fear for one another.
“The tragic events are made possible by the distance between the two groups,” Hoffman said.
Strausser also expanded on the idea that separation between cultural, religious and ethnic groups transitions into hostile actions.
“People are afraid of difference. So if you can understand you won’t have that fear. Things will be better,” Strausser said.
Both Strausser and Montgomery highlighted the importance of learning about the past in order to prevent future mistakes.
“Understanding context and going back in time and understanding what causes these conflicts … The more history you read the better informed you are,” Montgomery said.
However, Montgomery said she believes the best solution to prevent further crimes between cultures is to teach nonviolence.
“Conflict resolution, which they do now in grade school, between me and my neighbor. The more human beings who can manage their own anger, their own desire to make a fist and who’ve learned to say, ‘Well, I don’t see that the way you do, but I see you as a person,’” Montgomery said.
Montgomery said she believes this teaching must start with individuals.
“Try teaching kindness and teaching humanity. But it has to start with individuals,” Montgomery said.
Anna Glassman can be contacted at aglassman@keene-equinox.com