Insecurity During The Holocaust

“Comparison is the thief of joy,” said Theodore Roosevelt. His truth rings out today as multitudes of teenagers and young adults battle epidemics of depression: eating disorders: anxiety disorders: and other mental illnesses. Though chemical imbalances and traumatic events can trigger these plagues of the mind, another media scapegoat exists: insecurity. Insecurity seems like a likely reason for mental illnesses like anxiety and anorexia but behind those surface dwelling insecurities lies another predator lurking in the deep; comparison. Without comparison, insecurity would not exist because no one would have a reason to feel insecure. No ideal portrayal of beauty or the perfect student would trouble young adults since they would not compare themselves to those stereotypes or to others around them. Sinful and
During World War II, many Nazi’s did not believe in the perfect, Aryan race like Hitler but they did hate Jews. Now why did they hate Jews? Jews did not suffer nearly as much as others during the depression in Europe due to their work ethic and established businesses. When non-Jewish German’s saw the prosperity of the Jews in comparison with their poverty, the non-Jewish German’s pain and anger transferred to the Jews. Comparing the quality of life of the Jews to their own life, many non-Jews grew to hate Jews for their happiness. Throughout history many cases of hatred and prejudice came from comparison, displaying how comparison leads to hatred. Theodore Roosevelt knew the truth when he said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” So much pain and suffering comes from comparison. How many of the world’s problems would have resolutions if people no longer compared? Less hatred; anger; unhappiness; insecurity; and frustration would exist. Love would appear more commonly in people’s lives. Comparison truly blinds people to the goodness of