4:00P.M. It’s Done: The presentation is over and I felt like it was rushed. Some things I would have enjoyed to read myself from the screen instead of someone speaking them like their talking to save their life. I guess if the presentation would have started on time, I could have enjoyed it much more.
If any of you are interest in the Holocaust or would like to attend on of the presentations, please visit Edison’s website for the Holocaust Memorial Project. Also, there is a Holocaust Museum of Southwest Florida located in Naples.
3:52 A Powerful Poem: Jan Klein closes the presentation with the following poem written by Martin Niemöller (1892–1984):
When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.
When they locked up the social
democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a
social democrat.
When they came for the trade
unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not
a trade unionist.
When they came for the Jews,
I remained silent;
I wasn't a Jew.
When they came for me,
there was no one left
to speak out.
Even though I have heard this poem numerous times, I always feel the emotion behind. It makes me feel bad about what has happened and it makes me think about if one group of people had spoken up, the Holocaust may have stopped earlier and many lives could have been saved.
3:47P.M. The Question: She asks us the question she said she began asking at the beginning of the presentation, which I did not hear her say: Given the history of prejudice in the United States, could a holocaust happen here?
Many people answered and to myself I say, “It can happen again.” The other people in the room also agree.
3:41P.M. Facts on Hatred: She begins to discuss hatred crimes in schools across the country. Some include young children saluting a Jew peer like Hitler, wearing KKK to a Spanish club meeting and using the yearbook as a way to be racist. Some facts she states include:
§Every year half a million college students are targets of bias-driven slur or physical assaults.
§ Everyday at least one hate crime happens on a campus.
Blah, blah, blah is all I heard. I would like to hear more facts and take them in, but she is just talking so fast. “Slow Down” is what I want to scream out.
3:37P.M. Close To The End: We’re nearing the end of the video and Hitler engulfs the screen. Come to find out, the video was taped in 1969. Boy was I off because I did not know what 1960’s fashion looks like.
3:24 P.M. Video Time: Jan Klein introduces us to a video of a teacher attempting to get his kids more interested in the Holocaust. The video is title “The Wave – The After School Special.”
The video looks like it takes place in the 1980’s because of the hair and the clothes the actors are wearing. At first I don’t really pay attention, but a few minutes into the video I start to realize the point of the video.
I believe at this point, Ms. Klein wants us in the room to understand how easily young ones can be influenced. I encourage everyone to take a look at the video.
3:15P.M. We Have To Walk Around?: Jan Klein, the presenter tells us we’re doing an experiment. She gives us some rules and then hands us some cards. We can’t look at our own card and can’t tell the other people what type of card they have.
I begin walking around the room with the card stuck to our forehead feeling like a crazy woman. I can tell each person feels the same way because they’re not really moving and we’re laughing at each other. The point of the experiment is to walk up to the person who has a face card or an ace. We must stay away from anyone that has a 2 or 3 cards. I walk around for a few minutes and realize I have a low card because nobody wanted to talk to me. I must admit also that I took a peek after I got finished holding the card up to my forehead. Don’t worry, nobody aw me.
Us low cards are pulled to the side and I felt left out. I begin to think about society and how people are treated.
3:14P.M. It’s Starting: Finally the presentation begins, 14 Minutes late. She introduces herself and states she is a Prevention Specialist for the Lee County Board of Education.
3:08P.M. Let’s Start: I’m still waiting for the workshop to start. The presenter is walking around saying, “Where are all the people. For the ones already in here, move closer.” She is pacing back and fourth between the podium and a table. Glancing up from my computer, I find her wiping her nose with her hand a few times, but then I notice she has a napkin in her hand and she is not using it. I don’t think I will be shaking her hand.
While I wait, I place the yellow paper clip onto my shirt. It represents the 11 Million people who have died due to the Holocaust.
2:46 P.M. I’m Here, But Where Is It?: I have arrived on Edison College Campus and just got finish walking the hall trying to find the room the workshop is being held. I have found the room, but there are people in there. I guess I should wait until the workshop starts at 3:00p.m.
In the mean time, the workshop I am attending is pertaining to the Holocaust Memorial Project which was founded by Edison College in 1996. The presentation will be presented by Jan Klein and it is titled “Can It Happen Again? How easily influenced are young adults today?
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