This is the day when i lost my appetite for lunch, it seldom happens especially when i am on a holiday. As i was walking from the Smithsonian metro station, Washington DC, i knew in my guts that i will make it this time to the holocaust museum. I didn't make it the day before because it closed at 3pm for which i felt is definitely 'unbecoming' of a museum. A museum, i felt, rightfully should close at 6pm for the least. I could only be grateful they will let us in at 5.20 before 'chasing' us out at 5.30pm.
As ambitious as always, i planned to visit the Air and Space museum which is nearby after this. However, i didn't make it for i spent almost 3 hours, practically reading almost every placard, signage, photograph caption and video in this museum. I never regretted it, especially when i see the descendants of the Jews and the old ladies who teared in the museum upon seeing the genocides and attrocities of war that can turn humans into heartless creatures. Though in black and white, the photographs and videos that depicts the cruelty and reality of the holocaust is haunting, it is nauseating to just think of food then even though i know it is time for lunch. When i came to the part of the infamous T4 programme instigated by Hitler where hundreds of disabled and handicapped children were all killed by poison injection so as to keep the 'purity' of the german race, i had to fight back my tears and kept 'psychoing' myself that all these killings were begone, they would have rest in peace by now after 66 years.
Luckily i was alone touring because i can spend as much time as i could in any place i want, i wouldn't want to miss this museum for anything and it had been a long time since a museum with such display can have this sort of impact on me, like what the Natural History Museum in London did ten years ago.
What disgusted me most are a few students averaging 11 to 12 who actually made a mockery of the museum's exhibits, i was looking out for the teacher to stop all these nuisance but in vain. They are definitely immature and childish to 'appreciate', the irony is, their actions spoke of more humanity than what the nazis have done to the human race. I do not know if i had studied history, will these exhibits of the holocaust be more meaningful and will it affect my feelings deeper, all i know now is i don't know will i step back into this museum again if i ever have the chance.
2 comments:
Hi Hui Khoon,
I have just returned from the cinema. And reading this reminds me of the terrible things that humans can to to each other. The museum rightly records such inhumane stuff. But then again can remember? The children you encountered prove that we (the so called human kind) can forget and let such things happen. again. Who knows. Hope that some can ensure such atrocities don't show up again.
I just returned from the movie City of Life and Death, (usually called the Rape of Nanjing). Very sad to be reminded of such barbaric and stuff. Understand what the word "comfort" means for the Japanese. There are still women who "served" as such and Japan is still denying it. so much for mankind again. (Womankind, not included)
I am reminded to not have too mcuh faith in those who lead the world.
The germans have already apologized to the world of their cruel deed, i just do not understand why the jap are still living in denial. How long are they going to fool the young generation and what can we do to ignite their conscience to say 'sorry' to the whole world? i wish i am not just a mere teacher....
Post a Comment