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"Read the Room" and stick to the subject

(104 Posts)
ferry23 Tue 28-Jan-25 18:17:56

There's a few threads about Holocaust Memorial Day and the liberation of Auschwitz with some really lovely, respectful and meaningful posts. So lovely to read.

Rather childishly and annoyingly interspersed with political rhetoric and telling us we should be remembering.....other things (I can't think of another way of putting it).

Holocaust Memorial Day is about remembering the Jews that died at the hands of the Nazis. Nothing else.

On Remembrance Sunday we don't tell others they should be remembering victims of the Great Fire of London, or victims of terrible floods. Neither do we launch into discussions about Archduke Franz Ferdinand or the origins of WW2.

On September 11th we remember those who perished in the terrorist attacks in the US - we don't tell people they should also be remembering victims of other atrocities or manipulate the narrative to opinions as to why it happened in the first place.

I wish some posters would show some very basic respect and let those of us who wish to commemorate and remember those in whose honour for whom the day is reserved in a peaceful and reflective manner.

The "hiding in plain sight" posters are getting very predictable.

foxie48 Wed 29-Jan-25 10:29:20

Oreo it is the Stockholm declaration see below:

"Holocaust Memorial Day was established on 27 January 2000, when representatives from 46 countries around the world met in Stockholm to discuss Holocaust education, remembrance and research. At the end of this meeting,
all attendees signed a declaration committing to preserving the memory of those who were murdered in the Holocaust."

loveOc I fail to see how giving information from legitimate sources can be described as splitting hairs

Oreo Wed 29-Jan-25 10:03:21

Who wrote that ‘statement of commitment in the UK’ ?
Cleverly done isn’t it, manages to not mention Jews even once!

growstuff Wed 29-Jan-25 09:10:53

love0c

Clearly many people on here are queuing up to argue and split hairs on the meaning of and remembering 'Holocaust Day'. I find it abhorrent. I will not return.

Errrmm! That's what the OP was about.

Nobody has disputed the centrality of the memory of the murdered Jews by the Nazis. What some have done is point out the actual aims of Holocaust Memorial Day by those who set it up and are published on the official site.

This is the statement of commitment in the UK:

"We recognise that the Holocaust shook the foundations of modern civilisation. Its unprecedented character and horror will always hold universal meaning.

We believe the Holocaust must have a permanent place in our nation's collective memory. We honour the survivors still with us, and reaffirm our shared goals of mutual understanding and justice.

We must make sure that future generations understand the causes of the Holocaust and reflect upon its consequences. We vow to remember the victims of Nazi persecution and of all genocide.

We value the sacrifices of those who have risked their lives to protect or rescue victims, as a touchstone of the human capacity for good in the face of evil.

We recognise that humanity is still scarred by the belief that race, religion, disability or sexuality make some people's lives worth less than others'. Genocide, antisemitism, racism, xenophobia and discrimination still continue. We have a shared responsibility to fight these evils.

We pledge to strengthen our efforts to promote education and research about the Holocaust and other genocide. We will do our utmost to make sure that the lessons of such events are fully learnt.

We will continue to encourage Holocaust remembrance by holding an annual Holocaust Memorial Day. We condemn the evils of prejudice, discrimination and racism. We value a free, tolerant, and democratic society.."

Angela Rayner's tweet acknowledged the commitment, as have the posts about which the OP seems to be complaining.

love0c Wed 29-Jan-25 08:59:20

Clearly many people on here are queuing up to argue and split hairs on the meaning of and remembering 'Holocaust Day'. I find it abhorrent. I will not return.

foxie48 Wed 29-Jan-25 08:52:47

How on earth can you "whitewash" Holocaust Memorial Day? If you go to the official site, it mentions not only the 6 million Jews and the other groups murdered by the Nazis, but also those killed in the genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. AR's post was absolutely in harmony with the official site and showed a deeper understanding of the purpose of the day than some seem to show.
I haven't been to any of the Holocaust sites but my daughter has and she was deeply affected by her visit. She's also been to the killing fields in Cambodia and was equally horrified. I doubt she thinks that a child gassed at Auschwitz should be remembered and mourned any more or less than a child beaten to death against a tree in Cambodia and neither do I. Lighting candles is all very well but educating yourself and those near to you about the 10 steps to genocide is probably more effective in preventing more genocides. Don't leave it to the schools it's our responsibility especially as there is Holocaust denial material freely available online.

growstuff Wed 29-Jan-25 08:36:30

love0c

'True, succinct and poignant'. - Reform Party

Dreadfully sad that so many people are upset by 'it'.

Who is upset by it?

love0c Wed 29-Jan-25 08:35:19

'True, succinct and poignant'. - Reform Party

Dreadfully sad that so many people are upset by 'it'.

dragonfly46 Wed 29-Jan-25 08:27:41

That was actually a general post from the Reform Party so apologies. It was reposted by Farage.

love0c Wed 29-Jan-25 08:16:54

drafonfly46

'Today is Holocaust Memorial Day, 80 years on from the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

We remember the six million Jewish victims, and all those who lost their lives in the Holocaust.'

Nigel Farage

True, succinct and poignant.

dragonfly46 Wed 29-Jan-25 08:08:19

There were no posts about Holocaust Memorial Day from the Reform Party.

love0c Wed 29-Jan-25 07:55:43

I am sincerely heartened by the 'change' in posts. Too many people are wanting to brush under the carpet and whitewash 'Holocaust Day'. All the more need to speak out.

Anniebach Tue 28-Jan-25 23:26:11

Video of a Raniv Singh on uTube reeling of several groups but
no mention of Jews, yes let’s not speak of Jews and people will
forget

growstuff Tue 28-Jan-25 23:07:18

Kate1949

Ranvir Singh has had to apologise for her remarks in Good Britain where she mentioned different groups that were killed in the Holocaust but failed to mention Jews.

That's different from not singling out any particular group of victims, which AR didn't.

growstuff Tue 28-Jan-25 23:06:21

pinkquartz

Angela Raynor's tweet doesn't mention Jews. and that is what is wrong with Raynor's tweet for Holocaust memorial day.
( or perhaps because she doesn't want to upset her core constituents?)
Or simply this could be the first step to wiping them Jews out. As in look ! there is nobody there !!!
get people used to hearing more about other groups of peoples untils Jews won't need to be mentioned anymore.

Sorry, but I think that's ridiculous. It's nothing to do with wiping out Jews. Her tweet included victims of all genocides, which is consistent with the official site.

Kate1949 Tue 28-Jan-25 23:05:11

Ranvir Singh has had to apologise for her remarks in Good Britain where she mentioned different groups that were killed in the Holocaust but failed to mention Jews.

Allira Tue 28-Jan-25 23:03:49

maddyone

I only saw Angela Rayner’s tweet here on GN as I don’t do Twitter/X. It seems an entirely appropriate tweet to me.

I don't do X either so that is the first time I've seen it.

It seems respectful and thoughtful.

pinkquartz Tue 28-Jan-25 23:01:22

Angela Raynor's tweet doesn't mention Jews. and that is what is wrong with Raynor's tweet for Holocaust memorial day.
( or perhaps because she doesn't want to upset her core constituents?)
Or simply this could be the first step to wiping them Jews out. As in look ! there is nobody there !!!
get people used to hearing more about other groups of peoples untils Jews won't need to be mentioned anymore.

growstuff Tue 28-Jan-25 22:57:56

This is also from the same official site:

"On Holocaust Memorial Day, we remember the 6 million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, and the millions of people killed under Nazi persecution of other groups, and during more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur, and the Yazidi genocide.

The Holocaust was a terrible and defining episode of the twentieth century, which undoubtedly changed the course of history.

After the Holocaust, the international community adopted a legal definition of the crime of ‘genocide’. They wanted to make sure that never again would the crimes of the Holocaust be allowed to happen.

However, in the years following the Holocaust, genocide has continued to be carried out. On Holocaust Memorial Day we remember the 6 million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of other people killed under Nazi persecution of other groups and during more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur, and the Yazidi genocide.

More recent genocides represent a failure of humanity to learn from the Holocaust and are a reminder for all of us that we must be prepared to guard against genocide happening again in the future."

growstuff Tue 28-Jan-25 22:53:51

foxie48 has already posted part of the introduction from the official Holocaust Memorial site. This is the rest of it (my bold):

"The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust encourages remembrance in a world scarred by prejudice and systematic, targeted persecution. We promote and support Holocaust Memorial Day - the international day on 27 January. The Holocaust is central to Holocaust Memorial Day and we remember the 6 million Jews murdered during the Holocaust. We also commemorate the millions more people murdered through the Nazi persecution of other groups and in the more recent genocides recognised by the UK government, and the genocide in Darfur.

You can find out more about the Holocaust, Nazi persecution of other groups, more recent genocides recognised by the UK government, and the genocide in Darfur here.

Holocaust Memorial Day is a time when we seek to learn the lessons of the past and recognise that genocide does not just take place on its own – it’s a steady process which can begin if discrimination, racism and hatred are not checked and prevented. Discrimination has not ended, nor has the use of the language of hatred or exclusion. There is still much to do to create a safer future and HMD is an opportunity to start this process.

It is not true that Holocaust Memorial Day only remembers the victims of the Nazi genocide.

Anniebach Tue 28-Jan-25 22:30:14

Angela Rayner is deputy PM, the PM we’re paying tribute to those who died in the holocaust, the King was in Poland paying
tribute to those who died in the Holocaust

I agree with MOnica, Ferry and Oreo

Oreo Tue 28-Jan-25 22:02:14

M0nica

I do think that Angela Rayner's post was inapropriate because,

Firstly, it was a classic example of virtue signalling, saying essentially. 'I know this is a day specifically dedicated to remembering the many millions who died in the Holocaust, the majority Jewish people, but my mind is so high that I think we should think of all the other people who have ever died as the result of prejudice. I am sorry today is a day specifically set aside to remember those who died in the Holocaust, there are 364 other days in the year, when she can think of all the rest.

The second reason I am left very uncomfortable about this post is because it once again illustrates the deep discomfort felt in the Labour party about anti-semitism. Under Jeremy Corbyn the anti-semites had a field day and I think that Angela Rayners. touchy feely, or should I say, touchy feeble message was because she felt uneasy about seeing to say anything that might anger the anti-semites still in the party.

You say exactly what I felt too.
Also I understand exactly where Ferry23 is coming from as there are several posts about Gaza on those threads.
The day is for remembering what happened to mainly Jews in Nazi Germany and the death camps.Anyone Jewish understands that as do many other religions.I expected the usual posters and Palestinian supporters would put an oar in tho, not even allowing one day.

Anniebach Tue 28-Jan-25 21:13:17

As a Labour Party member since 1963 I left the Labour Party
when Corbyn stood for a second term, the first was difficult enough

M0nica Tue 28-Jan-25 21:03:31

I do think that Angela Rayner's post was inapropriate because,

Firstly, it was a classic example of virtue signalling, saying essentially. 'I know this is a day specifically dedicated to remembering the many millions who died in the Holocaust, the majority Jewish people, but my mind is so high that I think we should think of all the other people who have ever died as the result of prejudice. I am sorry today is a day specifically set aside to remember those who died in the Holocaust, there are 364 other days in the year, when she can think of all the rest.

The second reason I am left very uncomfortable about this post is because it once again illustrates the deep discomfort felt in the Labour party about anti-semitism. Under Jeremy Corbyn the anti-semites had a field day and I think that Angela Rayners. touchy feely, or should I say, touchy feeble message was because she felt uneasy about seeing to say anything that might anger the anti-semites still in the party.

Claremont Tue 28-Jan-25 20:41:10

If a thread has nothing to do with this subject- it should not be highjacked either.

NonGrannyMoll Tue 28-Jan-25 20:36:51

In a real room full of people, you are never going to get every single person talking about the original subject. Try it one day. Doesn't happen.