The Holocaust

The Holocaust is without a doubt one of the darkest stains on human history. The desire to exterminate an entire people from a continent, and the brutality in which it was attempted, is, frankly, horrifying.

My school hosted a local speaker who was a survivor of the Holocaust, and his story was eye-opening. Hearing a firsthand account of the atrocities of that period was an intense experience. He spoke of things that we as Americans (I pray hopefully) don't think about. Families being forcibly seperated, innocent people being shot in the streets, infants being bashed to death against walls because they were crying for their mother--all of the above were not only witnessed, but commonplace.

I find it hard to comprehend such brutality against your fellow man. But, in every single account of the Holocaust I have read or seen, it's right there in your face.

One book that does an outstanding job of depicting the Holocaust is the MAUS series by Art Spiegelman. Both of his parents were survivors of Auschwitz, and the two graphic novels tell the story of Art's father, Vladek, using animals as the main characters. But the story is not lightened by using animals as the characters-- it is a very realistic, and at times graphic, account. I recommend it because it is not only a true account, but it also provides an interpretation of images related with the Holocaust that we don't normally see, but at the same time are very accurate.

Please comment.

A Look at the War on Terror

For my first official post, I want to discuss the War on Terror.

This decade-long conflict began after the September 11th terrorist attacks on our country. Can you believe that we were barely in elementary school when that happened?

I remember very distinctly the unity, the renewed sense of pride that was so tangible in the weeks that followed. Up until the recent killing of Osama Bin Laden, that unity certainly was weakened. 

Not everyone agreed with or agrees with America's involvement in the Middle East (specifically Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan). People seem to only focus on the negatives, but I would like to highlight the positives that have come out from the War on Terror and related operations:

A brutal dictator (Saddam Hussein) was forced out of power and brought to justice for his atrocious crimes against humanity.

An oppressed people are beginning to gain freedom and practice democracy.

Scores of terrorists have been killed or captured and imprisoned.

Osama Bin Laden, leader of the terrorist group al-Qaeda and mastermind of the 9/11 attacks and many other planned assaults on American soil, was found and killed.

Intelligence gathered throughout this period has led and continues to direct American forces to important figures in the terrorist circles of the Middle East.

What the War on Terror represents on a global scale is perhaps most important. People living in fear see a nation that was made a victim of senseless violence by extremists, but then rose up and defended itself and others while at the same time bringing those responsible to justice.

Please comment and tell me your thoughts.

Big History Action Blog: What's It All About?

Hey!  I'm Big Ben, and I like history... that was weak.

This blog will consist of postings of several times a week (three usually) where I will look at a significant event in our history and connect it to today, commentate on it, criticize it, etc.

Feel free to comment on my posts and contribute. I'm all for discussion; the more interaction, the cooler this blog will be.

SHOUT OUT TO ALL THE OTHER APUS'ers AT OZ HIGH!