After learning about the Holocaust and America's failure to provide refuge for the vulnerable international Jewish community, it has empowered me to stand for justice and support the rights of all racial groups. It is upsetting to learn that countries closed their doors to Jews that were tirelessly looking for shelter to escape the brutality of the Nazis. Americans were afraid to jeopardize their opportunities and freedoms and felt that if they had allowed Jews within their country that their opportunities would be decreased. America could have done better by decreasing immigration regulations and allowing more refugees to enter the country. There was a major lack of public awareness even though there may have been some organizations that provided aid for refugees. Instead of acceptance, Anti-Semitic attitudes overcame the government's decisions. There was enough evidence to report the injustices that the Jews faced from the Nazis yet America acted out in selfishness and fear. I have been encouraged to not live in my own bubble but to educate myself with the atrocities that are occurring presently in the world. These atrocities may not be affecting me but they are affecting others.
Lily Ebert, an Auschwitz survivor, and her grandson describe the testimony of Lily's experience. Ebert witnessed killing on an industrial level as around 1.1 million people were murdered during this time. Previously discussing her Auschwitz tattoo was considered taboo within her family but one day her grandson's friend asked about it and her grandson realized that he needed to help his grandmother share her experience. She has never considered removing her tattoo and erasing this memory because it validates what she experienced. Lily Ebert concludes with, "A human cannot take away my humanity". Her tattoo demonstrates her perseverance and strength with the trauma and pain she endured. She may not be able to erase the painful memories but she is passionate about sharing her story to remind mankind that the Holocaust did occur.