According to a recent post on the Holocaust Education Resources site, there are a number of reasons why we teach about the Holocaust. The reasons listed below appeared in the Institute of Education Report (2010) into Holocaust Education and were all responses by teachers across a variety of school subjects. The reasons included:
- To learn the lessons of the Holocaust and to ensure that a similar human atrocity never happens again
- To explore the roles and responsibilities of individuals, organization and governments
- To reflect upon questions about power/abuse of power, raised by the Holocaust
- To deepen knowledge of the Second World War and 20th century history
- To explore the implications of remaining silent/indifferent in the face of oppression
- To reflect upon moral/ethical questions
- To preserve the memory of those who suffered
- To understand and explain the actions of people involved in and affected by an unprecedented historical events
What are your reasons for teaching and learning about the Holocaust? Please share and discuss in the Comments section.
Teaching that “bullying” is a first step down a slippery slope to —— might improve conditions related to “respect for others” in our schools.