Alexis POV
"For the survivor who chooses to testify, it is clear: his duty is to bear witness for the dead and for the living. He has no right to deprive future generations of a past that belongs to our collective memory. To forget would be not only dangerous but offensive; to forget the dead would be akin to killing them a second time." As I read the words out loud and clearly to my English class I couldn't help but have the words cling to my brain like the faint smoke lingering on a smoker's clothes.
In class we were reading Night by Eile Wiesel, the story was about an autobiography of Wiesel growing up in a Nazi German concentration camp with his father in Auschwitz and Buchenwald. The story subconsciously describe how a young man at the age of 16 loses all hope in humanity, his God and himself after being detach from his mother and little sister, and witnessing the death of millions of Jews.
The lines and the arranged words in the story had my mind think further then the basic contents, but way beyond. When Mr Barnes picked on me to read this passage it was almost as if it specifically was meant for me.
'For the survivor who chooses to testify, it is clear: his duty is to bear witness for the dead and for the living', This line in particular states that an individual, who chooses to testify, it is their duty to tell what they know on behalf of the dead, and for the clueless living who wants answer.
'He has no right to deprive future generations of a past that belongs to our collective memory', However in this line it portrays that an individual, such as myself, has no right nor liberties to hold information or knowledge that is unalienable righted to the family and people.
'To forget would be not only dangerous but offensive; to forget the dead would be akin to killing them a second time', Lastly in this line it concludes that for an individual just to simply forget about what they have witness would be a danger to them self, and a offense to the people. Also just forgetting the people will be killing them twice, first by taking their life, and second by erasing the memory of them.
To sum this up I couldn't help but contrast this to my real life. I was not only withdrawing information from a homicide case, but also from a family who rightfully own justice. For me to just try to forget this whole matter like it never happened is dangerous to myself because it's tainting my mind. Also it disrespect to the family, to the people.
I departed from my thoughts when I heard Mr. Barnes speak, "That's all we're going to read for today, so put your books away so we can have a interesting discussion on an universal debate." Everybody sighed in relief happy that we were done reading. I closed the small paper back book and put it in my bag beside me.
"All around the world a matter is debated amongst historian, and even scientist whether if Slavery was worst or the Holocaust. As a man who loves a debate I will love to get you guys statements." Mr. Barnes pushed up the glasses that sat on the rim of his nose, peering around the room with a big smile.
"Of course the Holocaust is much worse." A girl that sat across from me, named Rebecca, said. I raised a questioning brow already disagreeing with what she said.
"And why is that?" Mr Barnes asked with a watchful gaze on her.
"Well, unlike in Slavery, Jews that were to young and old to work were automatically executed. While in Slavery the people were allowed to live." I chuckled lightly to myself and shook my head finding the way she contrast the two humorous. At the sound of my laughing Mr. Barnes turned to me, "Would like to leave some comment on what Ms. Palmer said, Mrs. Wright?"
"Actually I would love to," I turned to Rebecca, "Your correct with the Jews being executed instantly, they were either killed by flames or gas chambers. Their death only lasted, for what a couple minutes? Then they were granted freedom in the Heavens. While in slavery slaves lived a unmerciful life. Slaves were forced to work on boiling hot plantation for 2/3 of the day, and the female were used like sex dolls. Husbands were forced to watch their wives get raped in front of them and they couldn't do anything about it." My words came out more aggressive than I intended.
