Never Forget

"The one who does not remember history is bound to live through it again" George Santayana

I pride this blog in being quite light hearted, but today there are much more important things to be talking about.

Today is Holocaust Memorial Day; remembering the victims of the Holocaust and more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

I'm sure you all know the terrible stories of Auschwitz and the murder of millions of people just because they were Jewish, or black, or disabled. I visited the camps last year and was totally blown away by the whole thing. You don't realize it actually happened until you are walking past the actual storerooms full to the brim of shoes, glasses or human hair. We just think its all in the past. It's not.

There is still so much hatred in the world. We live in Northern Ireland, we should know. Romanians getting driven out of their homes, Polish people "stealing" our jobs; Protestants and Catholics are still bring up their kids to hate. Sure just this month a guy got his leg blown off just because he was in the Police and a Catholic.

We can't just sit back and do nothing. The Holocaust didn't happen because of one crazy man; it happened because no-one stood up until it was too late. We have to take a stand against hatred.

The purpose of Holocaust Day is to learn lessons from the past and make sure the future is better. Take a minute and think about what has gone on in the world. We have to cut hate right out, leave nothing; casual sectarianism/racism, stupid jokes; they all have to go. We have to teach our children to respect other people, no matter what race or religion. And we have to do it ourselves.

Peace isn't no war. Peace is no hate.