Examples Of Guilt In The Holocaust

Survivor Guilt in the Holocaust

The Holocaust refers to the mass genocide of Jews that prompted World War II. However, it was not only Jews who were sent to concentration camps. Any who dared to smuggle an ounce of meat, those who were highly educated, those who helped Jews, or those who simply did not look Aryan enough were also sent to the death camps. Hundreds upon thousands were killed, but a handful of every one of those thousands survived. They were spared because of their skills; skills that were needed by the Nazis. These people, exceptional seamstresses, carpenters or linguists, were plucked from the general population at the concentration camps and had their talents abused to benefit the Nazi regime. Others were spared simply because
Forever there will be those who feel resentment and hatred towards those involved in creating it. Concentration camps were places where humans should never have needed set foot in, let alone live, and for many, die in. Survivors somehow managed to beat the odds and live for up to years with almost no food, water or sleep; in diseased bunks; undertaking harsh physical labour and being lucky enough to escape the gas chambers or firing line at morning roll call. They are unsure how and why they survived, they appreciate the fact that they did. They attribute their survival to sheer luck in most areas, such as being chosen to the gas chambers or become human rifle practise, but there was often more involved than just luck, but being able to survive on so little, and to stay mentally strong, even while their families and friends fell victims of the camps around them was a feat of human capabilities. Now, so many years on, their lives have been rebuilt. No matter how hard it was initially, to feel it was not their fault, the guilt is slowly fading. It will never fully be gone, as the Holocaust will never be forgotten, as years go by, families grow; survivors accept their fate more and more. Time heals all