Today is the 11th anniversary of the Columbine School Shooting. It is also Adolph Hitler's birthday. Extremists tend to plan attacks around this time of year (both the Oklahoma City Bombing and David Koresh Siege in Waco, Texas occurred on April 19th -- the same date as the "Shot Heard Round the World" which killed Archduke Ferdinand and began World War I).
Heavy stuff.
Yesterday was also the 1 year anniversary of the opening of the Illinois Holocaust Museum. We decided to use the opportunity to introduce the kids to what can happen if we witness hate and say nothing.
The museum itself is full of historical information, photos, videos, documents, and other paraphernalia relating to the Holocaust. There is also an entire floor devoted to an exhibit that teaches children about the Holocaust through video interviews with survivors, interactive games, books and other activities. Many of the survivors passed on lessons that can easily be translated into today's world. Speak out against racism, intolerance, and discrimination. Stand up against bullying. Respect diversity. Learn civic responsibility.
There was also a special exhibition featuring the illustrations and story of Margret and H.A. Rey, the creators of Curious George, who had to flee the Nazi occupation of Paris on bicycles they built themselves.
Though this exhibit was aimed at children 8 and up, the twins totally "got it". They were fascinated, asking questions like "why were the Nazis so mean?". We've always explained to the kids that some people don't like other people because of how they look or what they believe. This museum helped to put what hate can look like if taken to extremes into concrete terms. I loved that the museum framed the horrors of the Holocaust in terms of personal stories of resilience and hope, and gave kids actionable ways to think about becoming good citizens, committed to social justice, in the future.
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