Roth asks the question of why we study the holocaust. Despite sixty years having passed we still see genocide, ethnic cleansing, and mass murder. Begs the most difficult of possibilities - maybe, despite all our efforts and the good they could potentially produce, learning about the holocaust is a waste of resources and time. Facing this question, he asks us to look deeper at the ethical yearnings and aspirations that stand at the core of holocaust studies.
Roth labels the holocaust as an "immense human failure." Ethics were harmed because it was shown that ethical teaching could be overridden or subverted to unethical ends. Many stood as bystanders while many more participated despite the unethical treatment of fellow humans. The status of moral norms were skewed by how so many people let these deaths happened. We have placed more importance on human rights and stopping crimes against humanity. Sharing the words and of ideas of Amery Maier, Roth shows us that the experience of help is a fundamental experience of being human - when help wasn't given we damaged the trust in the world that help would come.
Even one of the basic needs, Home, was destroyed for millions of people in the holocaust. Not just the places we live, but also the relationships, the safety, and the love we possess. It is true that homes recover in a sense, never the same as before but they still recover. Morals have continued to exist despite human's destructive power against its own kind but power has and clearly can be misused.
Genocide in some shape or form has always targeted children in some shape or form. Killing off children stops a people from growing both in population and culturally. Destroy those children, or totally ruin the culture and the existence of a people will disappear. If we would instead care for the world's children, not just our own, then Roth believes that we could overcome all genocide. The quality of human life depends on putting children first. Holocaust education reminds us to do just that. Roth asked the question of why we should study the holocaust. The answer is to teach that we should put children first, the priority of our existence.
Roth begs us to remember, take nothing good for granted.
Discussion Questions/Comments
What is moral relativism exactly?
One of the scariest parts for me is that the best way to destroy a people is to attack its weakest and brightest future - children.
Key Terms/Definitions
Impugned: despite the truth, validity, or honestly of (a statement or motive); call into question
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