Discussion – Holocaust Denial

Discussion – Holocaust Denial

In the TED Talk “Behind the Lies of Holocaust Denial,” historian Deborah Lipstadt talks about her research into Holocaust denial and how Holocaust deniers deliberately try to erase the history of the Holocaust. Yet, the Holocaust is one of the best-documented genocides in human history (Lipstadt, 2017). Holocaust deniers, however, use euphemisms, among other various ways, to minimize/misrepresent the atrocities that were committed against the Jews. An example of Holocaust denial can be exemplified in the works of David Irving, a history writer. Lipstadt notes that Irving’s works portray the Nazis as “not so bad” and suggest that the Jews somehow deserved what happened to them (Lipstadt, 2017). For this reason, she likens Holocaust deniers to the Nazis.

Notably, this attitude by Holocaust deniers resembles the Nazi’s anti-Semitism, as expressed in the film Schindler’s List. The film showcases the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved thousands of Jews during the Holocaust. Though Schindler relied on free Jewish labor for his ammunition factory, he protected the Jews who worked for him. He was even arrested for showing gratitude toward the Jews and violating the Race and Resettlement Act after kissing a Jewish girl. After an SS colonel intercedes for Schindler’s release, he talks to Schindler about the extermination of all Jews: he says, “They don’t have a future. That’s not just good old-fashioned, Jew-hating talk. It’s the policy now” (“Schindler’s List,” 1993).

Even with the massive evidence of this atrocity, Holocaust denial persists, particularly due to how easily misinformation and disinformation spread on social media. Consequently, Holocaust denial has impacted survivors and their families in various ways. For instance, during a Holocaust remembrance program, Tobias Rawet, a Holocaust survivor, noted that a Holocaust denier on television made him feel as if his life was a lie, as if his family had not been murdered (Germain, 2022). Also, Holocaust denial has prompted survivors like Mr. Rawet to share their experiences and bear witness to what happened.

Below is a photo showing Jewish women and children selected for death walking toward gas chambers. Therefore, the photo’s significance lies in its portrayal of the atrocious actions committed against the Jews and the unimaginable suffering they underwent during the Holocaust.

Figure 1

Jewish Women and Children Walking toward Gas Chambers at Auschwitz-Birkenau

Note. From “Jewish Women and Children From Subcarpathian Rus Who Have Been Selected for Death at Auschwitz-Birkenau, Walk toward the Gas Chambers,” by B. Walter and E. Hofmann, 1944, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Yad Vashem (Public Domain). https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/pa8594.

References

Germain, E. (2022, February 5). Why confronting Holocaust distortion and denial matters. United States Department of State. https://www.state.gov/why-confronting-holocaust-distortion-and-denial-matters/

Lipstadt, D. (2017, April). Behind the lies of Holocaust denial [Video]. TED Talks. https://www.ted.com/talks/deborah_lipstadt_behind_the_lies_of_holocaust_denial/transcript?subtitle=en

Schindler’s List. (1993, November 30). Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment. https://moviesjoy.is/watch-movie/schindlers-list-19786.2507817

Walter, B., & Hofmann, E. (1944, May). Jewish women and children from Subcarpathian Rus who have been selected for death at Auschwitz-Birkenau, walk toward the gas chambers. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Yad Vashem (Public Domain). https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/pa8594

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Chapter 2

required videos
Movie one – Schindler’s List

Discussion – Holocaust Denial

Shareable Movie Link
https://digitalcampus.swankmp.net/enmu280801/watch/886736F1FC756C9A

What Is Cultural Humility? 3 Principles for Social Workers
https://www.socialworker.com/feature-articles/practice/what-is-cultural-humility-3-principles-for-social-workers/Links to an external site.
Deborah Lipstadt-Behind the Lies of Holocaust Denial

https://www.ted.com/talks/deborah_lipstadt_behind_the_lies_of_holocaust_denial?language=enLinks to an external site.

Why Confronting Holocaust Distortion and Denial Matters – United States Department of State https://www.state.gov/why-confronting-holocaust-distortion-and-denial-matters/

1) Discuss how the film, Schindler’s List, relates to readings about Holocaust denial (Deborah Lipstadt-Behind the Lies of Holocaust Denial), its persistence on line, and its impact on survivors and their families.

2) Select one photo from any Holocaust archive or historical website to share with your post and describe its historical significance of the event.