Notes from the Director

When I talk with people about what I am doing as director of the Center for Holocaust, Genocide & Peace Studies, sometimes they ask me if this work does not ‘get to me’? Seemingly surprised, I tilt my head and feign not to understand. But I do understand the implied concern behind the question. There is so much injustice and suffering, so much violence and anger, and so much need for healing and reconciliation that one may easily feel overwhelmed and discouraged. The daily reports about justice denied and the disregard for human dignity drain our hope and deplete our ability to imagine a brighter and more peaceful world. The daily ‘menu’ of violence in the news, over the radio, on TV and in main-stream movies leaves us stunned and incapacitated. It makes us doubt the capacity of human beings to comfort, to trust, to build bridges and to strengthen ties among ourselves.

When he accepted the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1950, William Faulkner said that human beings are immortal because they have a soul and "a spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance." It is a poet’s, a writer’s, an activist’s, a lawyer’s, a doctor’s, a taxi driver’s and, yes, a professor’s duty to talk and write about things that can help human beings endure, gain strength and lift their heads.

"But don’t you get depressed talking about the Holocaust all the time?" students and friends ask me. Sure, the Holocaust is about suffering, a time of sacrifice, and of defeat. But it is also a time of courage and of hope and of honor.

The other day, I went to see a movie one of my friends told me to see because I should see something ‘most other people’ like to watch. The movie’s title shall remain unnamed! But it was one of those visual "filme noire" assaults in which within one minute muscular males maim, kick, incapacitate, verbally abuse, rape and kill more people than most of us meet within a year. I came away feeling empty and spiritually dead—not to mention angry for having paid six bucks for it!

I do not feel empty when I read about the Holocaust or other genocides. Because in spite of the horrific suffering, there are always people who care and this strengthens my belief in - at least some - human beings to help and support each other. I could not carry on my work if I were to hold that the various manifestations of evil will really and ultimately prevail.

In this issue of CenterNews, we are presenting two poems, several book reviews, an essay on Disney Films, and an insert on educational materials, as well as a two reactions to a local theater production. All of this will surely create within you that hope I am talking about. In addition to some short announcements and our "BIG PLUG" for the newly established academic program in Holocaust, Genocide & Peace Studies, we are featuring two members of the Center’s board of directors who, as scholars, are working toward social justice. Also, we will proudly talk about the Center having been awarded the 1997 Thornton Peace Prize, and, finally, we will tell you about the recognition the family of another of our board members recently received through Yad Vashem in Jerusalem.

Viktoria Hertling