Hatred rarely begins with violence. It begins with ignorance, the absence of understanding about another person’s history, culture or experience. Ignorance creates fertile ground for stereotypes, conspiracy theories and fear. Left unchecked, it hardens into prejudice, and prejudice can erupt into discrimination, violence and, at its most extreme, genocide. Education is our most powerful antidote.
Education opens the door to empathy. It replaces fear with understanding and stereotypes with human stories. It helps us see the world through someone else’s eyes and recognize the shared humanity that binds us together. When young people learn accurate history — including the Holocaust and other atrocities — they are better equipped to identify and reject antisemitism, racism and all forms of bigotry.
Remembrance is equally essential. The Holocaust is not simply a chapter in history. It is a warning. It shows what can happen when hatred is left unchecked, when leaders weaponize prejudice and when the majority stays silent in the face of injustice…