All across the world, it is once again time to remember and commemorate the beginning of one of the darkest marks in human history.
This Thursday, NC State will be hosting Remembering Kristallnacht, a speaker-led event meant to help students remember and reflect on the Holocaust, and how its impact is still felt today throughout the world.
“I think it’s incredibly important for all members of a community to be able to have some kind of space where they can reflect on both historical and current issues, whether it be through speakers, panels or open forums, just to have an area of critical reflection,” said Kate Maxwell, a third-year student studying political science and the Inter-Residence Council Vice president of programming.
Also known as the Night of Broken Glass, Kristallnacht refers to the events of Nov. 9, 1938, where Nazi-led civilians and soldiers rioted against the Jewish community. In this night, countless Jewish-owned businesses and synagogues were burned and looted, and thousands of Jewish men were arrested by Nazi officials. Generally speaking, this event is considered to be the beginning of the Holocaust as we know it today.
“I like to follow the motto ‘a history forgotten is a history repeated’,” Maxwell said. “Especially if you look at a lot of the things happening in the U.S. right now, with the rise of discrimination against minority groups, both racial and ethnic, as well as things such as sexual orientation and gender identity. In recent months, there have been a lot of well-publicized issues, so I think this program is really impactful because it examines what is one of the darkest times in human history.”
This event is held as a collaboration between the Union Activities Board and the Inter-Residence Council, and will feature Holocaust survivor Peter Stein as the evening’s speaker.
“I feel like having a Holocaust survivor come in and speak in an open question session, to actually ask about any questions you may have and get the perspective of someone who actually lived it, can really provide some clarity to students who are interested in the subject and who are interested in understanding the importance of respecting human diversity and dignity.” said Marissa Brinkman, a fourth-year studying psychology and communication and the current chair of the UAB’s Speakers and Professional Development Committee.
Peter Stein, associate director for aging workforce initiatives at the UNC Institute on Aging in Chapel Hill, is one of the many individuals who lived through the Holocaust as a child.
“Dr. Stein is a really great person, and he has a phenomenal background in teaching about the subject, as well as having lived and experienced it,” Brinkman said. “He truly has a thorough understanding of it.”
Remembering Kristallnacht falls on the 79th anniversary of Kristallnacht, and will be held in Stewart Theater from 7 to 9 p.m.
The first hour of the event will include a 15-minute video detailing Stein’s personal experiences during Kristallnacht, as well as the Holocaust as a whole, followed by a 45-minute question and answer session with Stein.
A reception will be held after the event, where students will be able to talk to Stein himself.
“I would like people to gain more respect for the event, and understand that it still impacts people, even today.” Brinkman said. “Dr. Stein is a survivor, and still lives with this as part of his personal history. I think that if people gained a better understanding of what actually happened, and understand why it is important to stand up for oppressed groups.”
Remembering Kristallnacht is ultimately aiming to allow students to gain a new perspective on the events of the Holocaust, and allow them to broaden their understanding of the Night of Broken Glass, as well as the tragedies that followed. True, many years have passed since the events of Kristallnacht, but time cannot discount the importance of remembering such times.
