During a recent trip to Poland I decided to visit a place that many would avoid but I strongly believe that everyone should see.
Walking under the infamous gates “Arbeit Macht Frei” and seeing the horrors within Auschwitz-Birkenau is an experience I’ll never forget.
I was speechless as we explored structures and systems designed by “human beings” purely for the torture and murder of those they considered inferior. Behind these guard towers and barbed wire, 1.1 million people perished in less than 5 years.
When describing the camps set up, our guide pointed out that it was designed to create distance between Nazi guards and their victims. Avoiding facing their humanity or having to look them in the eyes as they poured in the gas, killing up to 2,000 at a time.
Although a historical site, it was scarily relevant to today’s world where a button can be pushed or an order given without ever having to face the millions it harms. 77 years on, we see Russia committing war crimes in Ukraine, the genocide of Uyghurs in China, and much more.
George Santayana said “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it”. To honour the memory of all those lost; we must remember, we must learn, and united make sure this type of evil has no place to thrive.
Commentaires