Heroes

Genocide Themes Transcending the Holocaust Perpetrators- those who commit something evil, criminal, or the act of… these are the ones who plan, and carry out acts of mass murder (i.e)  Bystanders- an onlooker… those who stand by idly and do nothing in the face of what is going on around them (i.e.)  Victims- a person who has been killed or injured by an action beyond his or her control… those who suffer at the hands of the perpetrators and from the lack of action on the part of bystanders (i.e.)  Hero / Rescuer- one who takes a risk, often has to face adversity to help others. A person that does what they can to help the underprivileged / persecuted (i.e.) 

Genocide : The intent to destroy or eliminate a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. The term did not exist before 1948. Piles of Tutsi bodies murdered by the Hutu in Rwanda. http://www.orwelltoday.com/rwandabodies2.jpg Display of Tutsi skulls from Rwandan Genocide. http://hrw.org/photos/2003/rwanda/images/1.jpg A village burned by Janjaweed militia in Darfur. http://www.ushmm.org/conscience/alert/darfur/steidle/

Genocide was coined by a Polish-Jewish lawyer named Raphael Lemkin In 1948 the U.N. officially adopts the term Genocide. The players involved (or not) in a genocide can be classified in four broad categories Perpetrators: Those who commit something evil or criminal… these are the ones who plan, and carry out the acts of mass murder, hate, or injustices One who is involved in the action of a hurtful event directed towards another An Execution of the Poles by Einsatzgruppen (killing squads) Yad Vashem 1564/38

Motivations of Perpetrators Ideology: true believers in the Nazi world view, including its racial theories. Belonging: Didn’t want to be separate from their group (Browning “Ordinary Men”) Other: ______, _______, ___________, ________

The Einsatzgruppen

Adolph Eichmann: Perpetrator Adolph Eichmann was hung in Israel in 1961 for his role in the murder of 600,000 Hungarian Jews. Philosopher Hanna Arendt covered the trial and referred to the “banality of evil”.

Perpetrators

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” Edmund Burke Bystanders: an onlooker … those who stand by and do nothing in the face of what is going on around them, any person that watches an event unfold yet does not intervene Motivation?

Victims of Rwandan Genocide, 1995 Persons who has been killed or injured by an action beyond his or her control … those who suffer at the hands of the perpetrators and from the lack of action on the part of bystanders Any person that has been hurt physically, emotionally, or mentally by the actions of others “Not every victim was Jewish, but every Jew was a victim.” Elie Wiesel Victims of Rwandan Genocide, 1995 Source: http://www.tqnyc.org/

Characteristics of Rescuers / Hero / Upstanders / Saviours

What do you think that rescuers had in common? Non – Conformist Didn’t see differences between, among people, all human beings Acted out of a sense of moral imperative (What could I do other than help a person in trouble?) Were unaware that they had done something remarkable or praiseworthy

Rescuers Oskar Schindler saved approximately 1,100 Jews (700+ men and 300+ women) in Crakow. His heroism was the subject of the Stephen Spielberg film, Schindler’s List.

(Dictionary) A person who does great and brave deeds and is admired for them, although their significant contribution or action is not done for admiration (behind the scenes), nor does it have to be on a grand scale to be categorized as making a difference. Without a shadow of a doubt I can easily tell you my hero, it would be my mom. She isn’t only my hero but a councilor, teacher, a shoulder to cry on, but most of all she’s my best friend. Over the past sixteen years we’ve been together, I wouldn’t change a single thing. She is one of the most exciting, energetic, spontaneous women I have ever met and I love it! I chose her as my hero because … A hero in the real sense, has various characteristics: Brave, sacrifices, openly or quietly confident and / or assertive, has a sense of morals and values, selfless, can face ridicule, makes a difference in people's lives / the world, empathetic, an examples to others, etc … A hero is defined as, “a person who does great and brave deeds and is admired for them, even when their actions are not done for admiration.” Well that is exactly what my grade four and five teacher did …

Jesus, Dr.Phil, Rose Parks, Oscar Schindler, Jamario Moon, Fidel Castro, Cousin Al Gore, (Great) Grandmother, Romeo Dallaire, Poppa, Mom, Patch Adams Ashley Williams, Terry Fox, Johnny Rico, Dion Phaneuf, Eugene Armstrong Craig Kielburger, Tyra Banks, John Lennon, Dad, Princess Diana, Dane Cook Mahatma Gandhi, Marc Patterson, Best Friend, Erin Gruwell, Arleen Sklar Anne Frank, Uncle, Gerry Zimmermann, Best Friend, Rob Dyer, Charles Darwin Lauren Airth, Barrack Obama, Grandpa, Cousin, Paul R.

Righteous men and women Between 1933 and 1945 many atrocities were being committed against Jews and minorities in German-controlled areas of Europe. There were however, people attempting to help victims.

What is a Hero? Dictionary definition of hero/heroine: A man/woman of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.

True Heroes: Stories of Righteous Among the Nations from Around the World What did your hero fight against? 2. What danger or ridicule did your hero face for their actions? 3. Who did your hero try to help? 4. What are some characteristics that make your person a Hero?

Share your hero with the group Discussion: Join one other group Share your hero with the group Discuss some of the similarities and differences between these two heroes and their actions.

Contemporary heroes:

Actions taken for his/her cause: Hero/ine name:   Actions taken for his/her cause: What is the reason for the heroes' actions? Qualities/traits for which this person is praised: What effect did this heroes' actions have in society?

Two heroes discussion… What are the common characteristics between these two people (RATN and CONTEMPORARY)? What common qualities do you notice? Why do those particular qualities lend that person to being a hero?? Look at current events, how are people in our society behaving that you believe portrays distinguished courage or ability, bravery, and noble qualities? What is a more accurate definition of a hero? Respond at the bottom of your worksheet.

Discussion: What is the benefit to these heroic people taking action? Why get involved when it is just easier to be the bystander and sit back? Why does society need heroes?

Dear Teacher In Teacher and Child, noted psychologist Haim Ginott includes a copy of a letter that a principal sent to his teachers at the beginning of each new school year. Heartfelt and genuine, it evokes Facing History's mission admirably. Dear Teacher, I am a survivor of a concentration camp. My eyes saw what no man should witness: Gas chambers built by learned engineers. Children poisoned by educated physicians. Infants killed by trained nurses. Women and babies shot and burned by high school and college graduates. So I am suspicious of education. My request is: Help your students become human. Your efforts must never produce learned monsters, skilled psychopaths, educated Eichmanns. Reading, writing, arithmetic are important only if they serve to make our children more human.

What does it mean to be human…?