"We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant. Wherever men and women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must - at that moment - become the center of the universe."
― Elie Wiesel
Speechless.
Holocaust Museum Houston is dedicated to document the atrocities that led to the Holocaust as well as other humanitarian crises in an attempt to confront hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity. It is still unbelievable how millions of men, women and children could be murdered as much of the world looked away during the Holocaust. It is even more unbelievable that almost a hundred years later that these crimes against humanity still occur throughout the world.
Villages lost. Communities shattered. Families torn apart.
Be prepared to be a witness to the events that document the 42,500 ghettos and concentration camps created by the Nazis throughout German-controlled areas of Europe from 1933 to 1945. Six million Jews were murdered. Millions of others that were not Jewish, Russians, Polish, Serbs, Ukrainians, were killed as well. Through oral histories, photographs, gates to lost synagogues, torahs and religious artifacts, the stories of shattered lives that were lost are remembered.
Auschwitz-Birkenau-Bergen-Belson-Krakow-Treblinka-Stutthof-Warsaw
Listen to the oral histories. Read their story. Did they survive? Did they perish? What about their family? Did anyone help them? So many unanswered questions.
Tears flowing for all of the butterflies that represent the children who were murdered. Lives tragically cut short.
As you continue to explore the museum, you will find exhibits that rotate exploring themes like the Human Rights Gallery that features displays of UN-recognized genocides as well as tributes to international human rights leaders including Malala Yousafzai and Martin Luther King Jr.
On display currently is "Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg" which explores the American judicial system through the lens of the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Based upon the New York Times bestselling book, this exhibit offers a glimpse into RBG's life and work. So interesting to learn about RBG's remarkable career as she challenged the norms for women's education, raising a family, starting a career and then as she tried to apply Constitutional promises to all of the "We the People" through her briefs, writings and some of her famously searing dissents. Interesting to see connections between the Notorious RBG and rapper Notorious B.I.G. (who were both born and bred in Brooklyn, New York.) Each gallery section playfully alludes to a song or lyric from the late hip-hop artist.
Think about what you saw. The next time you witness hatred. The next time you see injustice. The next time you hear about genocide. read more