Today is Holocaust Remembrance Day. As sirens sounded, Israelis left their vehicles and stood together to observe a moment of silence. All around the world, people paused for moment in their own lives to reflect on those whose lives were extinguished by a hatred so evil generations have vowed it must never happen again.
Memorials and days of remembrance are fitting. But what would truly honour the memories of those who died, that would do justice to the pledge “Never Again”, would be an end to genocide. Genocide started the 20th century, and it hasn’t stopped.
We do not exterminate a group of people because we don’t approve of their religion, colour, nationality, creed, beliefs. We. Do. NOT. We must stop those who hunt down and massacre Christians because they are Christians, in Kenya, Pakistan, Libya. Like ISIS.
Sadly, the dark, evil legacy of World War II and the Holocaust lives on in the evil hatred perpetuated by fanaticism and extremism. So we must not forget Charlie Hebdo; we must defend those who would stand up against it, and call it what it is. For it is their courage, their resolve to defy oppression and bring change, that best honours the memory of those who died in the Holocaust. Never again.
.
Issues and Intersections 