Holocaust, The Situation of Depression - Essay Example

Holocaust: The Situation of Depression Holocaust has been known as the most gruesome act of genocide that occurredin story that is rooted from racial hatred and false nationalism perpetrated by Hitler back then. Poland then is one of the places greatly controlled by the Nazis during that time of war and Warsaw Ghetto is considered to be one of the resistances to these harsh conditions of the war. As a survivor, Solomon Radasky has experienced several problems and conditions. He has indeed played a very crucial role in the Warsaw Ghetto (ushmm.org). He is working in the ghetto and experienced a lot of inhumane treatment wherein he is abused, starved and hit whenever the German pleased. At the same time, the ghetto became the reason for him to lose his dear family members. He has to endure force labor. In some crucial aspects, there is a very complex interplay of things here. In terms of political, Hitler has really been so harsh about the loss of the Germans during the World War I and these acts of suffering that he has employed to the people, especially the Jews, is an act of hatred that would somehow restore the integrity of the German people. If extermination would then be the way to achieve his goal, he has done so. Also, if analysed further, the acts implemented by the Germans under Hitler’s command is an act of recuperation. He is trying to bring back to the Germans what they have lost through the suffering of the Jews where he associated all the problems of the German people then. The worst part is that he has included other nationalities in his mad political conquest. That is something that is really problematic back then. This shows that complex power relations back then in Europe. In terms of manner of labour inside the Ghetto, force labour is very much eminent. People have to work so hard in return for nothing. Bribery must be done sometimes to at least escape from the harsh working conditions. This only shows how inhumane the treatment to the Jews and other Europeans happened back then. The manner of implementation of things somehow satisfies a very sadist culture for the German soldiers who have been so happy seeing the suffering of Jews. This has been the common cases of Genocides. One finds happiness in the suffering of others. If we shall observe more carefully the Ghetto life, it is deeply rooted on the grand political narrative of Hitler: superiority. At the same time, these Ghetto camps can be considered safe havens somehow but not that safe in reality. People may just be working, forced under harsh circumstances that dehumanize them further. Solomon Radasky back then has used bribery as well just to see his sister who is already dead. This only shows that his frustration about the situation during the war is very incommensurable. At the same time, he has experienced the work inside the Ghetto camps which I have described to be so harsh and demeaning the one who worked would most likely do not want to work there since there is no hope of getting comfort and be treated humanely. In this case, violence has been so triumphant in Europe during the war. There is no significant difference in it when the other wars have occurred. The only possible worst case that can be inferred from this is that genocide occurred: the worst one regarded in history. Also, this is the most lamentable event because this shows that humanity is capable of doing something to save millions of lives and acted very late wherein a lot of life has been treated with disrespect and hostility by the oppressors who have so naïve about their supremacy as nation and race being forwarded by a leader who has a defect with him as well. A sad condition that lingers until but a harsh reality that people must understand and learn lessons from. The third aspect I would like to work on is the experience of Solomon Radasky about hiding, stealing and smuggling inside the ghetto. These can be considered to be crucial moments of his stay in the Ghetto since these are instances wherein he has seen death, a very normal condition back then due to the happenings of killings that occurred. First is about hiding. He has dressed up a Pollock to follow the Ghetto and see with his very eyes the very condition of concentration camps; specifically Treblinka wherein its construction is very harsh and inhumane that it became so suitable for its role: killing Jews. His hiding could be associated as well with his manner of staying out of trouble from the Ghetto to spare his life from misery. He has done this so well until he was shot in his ankle during an attempt to escape. What seems to be so harsh about this is he has to dress up like a woman that seems to be degrading for a man in that situation. He was brought in to Majdanek and it is presumed to be one of the concentration camps as well. Concentration camps back then are so frustrating since death would be the best solution to escape. Moving forward, he met an old man, a doctor who has treated his wound in his ankle that was shot. If analysed, this can be considered as his first moment of real survival and salvation from death. He managed to survive the harsh conditions of the situation. The next act that I will focus on in this aspect is his manner of smuggling and stealing. Food shortage occurred in concentration camps. How was this possible? Obviously, the food is hoarded by the Germans and they have deprived the captives of it. The possible reason for this is that since these Jews and other people will be meeting their death sooner or later, it is better to let them experience it already. Again, this agenda is very connected to Hitler’s narrative: that the Jews are the root of suffering in Europe. In relation to Radasky’s story, I have seen that he is very keen about hiding stuff in his gown. What seems to be so moving about the situation is that he gave the food to his friend in the concentration camp who is starving almost to death. This shows that he has compassion for others and tries to do his best to help no matter how futile it is and no matter how people will perceive him as a coward for staying out of trouble. However, during that time, we have to understand that life is at risk anywhere you go. One time is that he was brought into Buna, the labour camp, work is expected of him. Luckily, a Red Cross truck interfered and he managed to survive being mistaken as a Pollock which could then be a polish. Another thing to consider is that he managed to smuggle food from this moment presumably and this is where he has given the food to his friend. In this case, human concern is still highlighted. Sensitivity and other humanist sensibilities are emphasized: caring, understanding and encouraging. These are the most crucial things that one must have during the time of war wherein safety is a question of feasibility and resistance is manner of futility. However, there are still moments that would really prevent further atrocities of war like this. Though, as I have mentioned, this is really problematic since a lot has been risked before an act was made. In the end, I have seen that survivors have a lot demeanours ranging from personal, interpersonal, social and political. These four are deeply connected. Survival for one’s self in that time of war is one of the most crucial. Another is how to help others who are experiencing the same situation. Another is that why this social condition perpetrates and torments the people. Lastly demeanour is the persistence of a political situation that has been so antagonistic of Jewish people. These problems have become so much of a burden that time and solutions about it are hardly done well. In terms of assessing the interview, the details are vivid and clear. This only shows that the fear and depression back then has a traumatizing effect on the survivor which could then be inferred to as traumatic that seems to be so strong that the tendency to let go of the said harsh situation is an act that can be considered futile. In terms of assessing the details, they have been so explicit that gives a thorough understanding of the matter and would have relegated a different feel to the audience of being one with the person who has survived such harsh condition and carries a burden with himself to overcome the trauma of the horrors from the past. The overall showcase of the interview is well executed in my opinion. What seems to be so important is that people must understand why it is this so and why we should learn from it. After all, it is a mistake that can no longer be fixed but a mistake that can be prevented from occurring again in history. WORKS CITED Radasky, Solomon. Interview. Ushmm.org. 30 Nov. 2011. Read More