HOLOCAUST
HURTING THE
HOLOCAUST
THE MOUNTING ABUSE OF THE HOLOCAUST NARRATIVE
ROBYN SHAPIRO
that such an event would never again take place. The
slogan “Never Again” resounded not only amongst Jews,
but throughout the world.
HOLOCAUST MISUSE
Universalising the memory and lessons of the Holocaust
led to it becoming less of a Jewish event. In the
marketing of history, the Holocaust became a s
uper-brand, and when a brand becomes so popular and
widespread, its original owners lose a degree of control
over it, leaving it open to misuse and abuse.
As Haaretz journalist Anshel Pfeffer, writes, “It is hard
to argue that the Holocaust should not be used in other
contexts when it is a symbol for ultimate evil. It has also
become more difficult to avoid comparison with and
inclusion of other genocides along with the Holocaust.
In a sense, as it goes global and mainstream, the
Holocaust inevitably loses some of its uniqueness,
becoming instead a first among equals of genocides. It is
the inevitable side effect of the success in transforming
the Holocaust into a tragedy for all mankind.”
THERE IS a disturbing trend that is de-
veloping: the exploitation of the Holocaust narrative.
A once sensitive subject, that was spoken about with
revered sensitively, is being trod-on and abused.
Holocaust narratives have become so ubiquitous and
trite that instead of remembering and refining the
lessons, audiences are using them merely for impact.
In the immediate post-war period, a silence descended
over the Nazi genocide. The experience was too raw
and most survivors wanted to keep their own witness
to themselves. However, after the 1950’s, enough time
had passed for the silence to begin to lift. In 1961
the trial of Adolf Eichmann, a key architect of the
Holocaust, and the broadcasting of documentaries
such as Shoah reinforced the growing awareness of the
Holocaust.
The importance of recording the events that had
occurred during that time became crucial in ensuring
16
“We can
never allow
elements of
the
horrific
suffering
during the
Holocaust
to become
a tool to
pepper our
speech.” –
Wendy Kahn,
National
Director
SAJBD
Holocaust narrative is not only being used to depict evil,
but the provocative terms of the Holocaust are being
used, as Wendy Kahn, national director of the SAJBD,
explains in a recent SAJBD article to, “show hatred,
make a point and express outrage. Hitler, Nazis and
the Holocaust are becoming tools to show hatred, and
are becoming utilised as a way of making a point and
expressing outrage.”
There has been an increased misuse of Holocaust
narrative in South Africa on various social media
platforms. Many hideous and distur