Wednesday 8 February 2012

Remembering HMD ... What would you do?


Holocaust Memorial Day 2012

Every year on 27 January, the world marks Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD).  

It’s a time for us to pause to remember the millions of people who have been murdered or whose lives have been changed beyond recognition during the Holocaust Nazi Persecution, and in subsequent genocides like Rwanda.  

On HMD we ask you to honour the survivors of these regimes of hatred and issue a challenge for us all to use the lessons of their experience to inform your lives today.

HMD is not simply about remembering. It is a time when we seek to learn the lessons of the past and to recognise that genocide does not just take place on its own, it’s a steady process which can begin if discrimination, racism and hatred are not checked and prevented.


It also reminds us of the fragility of democracy and the need for citizens to
be vigilant in the protection of democratic ideals. We remember because we recognize the importance
of preserving freedom, promoting human dignity, and confronting hate whenever and wherever it occurs.


Thank you for speaking up and speaking out for those who remain silent in front of injustice.  


The boys at St Benedict College marked also this important day by preparing various works.  The students worked on an exhibition which features the past, the present and what would some one do to prevent discrimination.  A group of students worked on a model of Auschwitz Concentration camp to represent the fact that it was here that most of the innocent Jews died.  Along with these, a video was created by the students to send a positive message about speaking up and speaking out.  


The students learned that they need to take a stand in order to prevent history not repeating itself.  In fact we must remember that the tragedies that happened in the concentration camps did not start at the camps but started in the streets, in the classes etc where the others decided to remain silent in front of all the hatred against the Jews.