Reflections on Auschwitz

Yesterday morning we visited Auschwitz-Birkenau. Each of us had different reactions so we'll share a bit of each of our perspectives. We could likely chew on our visit for hours and hours so know that this will be brief and incomplete. This experience is one we will be reflecting on for some time to come.

Rog's Perspective:

Today we visited Auschwitz. I learned that it was Russia that liberated the place. I thought the Allies helped. I was wrong.

Auschwitz is the German name for it. The village's name is Oscwiecim (pronounced Osh-wheat-sim) in Polska. 

The encampment was originally made for the Polish Army. We saw the rooms where Dr. Mengele carried out his secret experiments. Hitler and Dr Mengele wanted the Germans to have twin babies to supply the Third Reich. He had one barrack in Birkenau that housed all of the twins who were imprisoned.

Cottage II is the place that has not been changed since 1945. There is a wall that prisoners were taken to and shot. A lot of the prisoners that survived have never had a good night's sleep after.

Anna's Perspective:

I spent most of the day in silence. Many of the facts, pictures and stories that were shared during our "tour" were nothing new to me. I've spent the past month reading and researching Auschwitz-Birkenau and some of the stories of people who experienced its horror. 

My research, however, did not make experiencing Auschwitz-Birkenau any easier. I am angry. I am frustrated that people who are not that different from you and me experienced such pain and loss. I want to change it. I want to give them the life I was given, one that includes many unthinkable comforts and opportunities.

Beyond that anger, I am also thankful that Auschwitz-Birkenau even stands today. Of course, this is not to say I am in any way supportive of its creation. Our guide reminded us that if it weren't for the Soviet invasion and the fact that many of the buildings were made of brick, Auschwitz-Birkenau would likely be nothing but ruins or a plot of land. We would have little to no proof of the murder of 1,300,000 people. We would not be able to look at the piles of human hair that were shaved and stolen from Auschwitz prisoners. We would not be reminded that any government that fears the educated is one to be feared. We would not see proof of humanity at its worst.

While wandering around Birkenau, I started talking to a guy in our group who was by himself. He shared with me that his great aunt and uncle were prisoners of Auschwitz-Birkenau. They not only met there but later had a child at another camp. They are survivors. They and their child have gone on to live and live well.

I know that their story is one of the few. But at that moment, it gave me a shred of the hope I thought was long gone.