IW Essay Contest Winner

Reaching out to the World

By Sarah Owen, student
Springville-GI High School,  Springvillle, New York

    During World War Two, the German people were led astray by a man named Hitler and his idea of an ideal world.  When he came to power in 1933, he used Anti-Semitism, scapegoats, propaganda, fascism, and outright lies in an attempt to create the perfect Aryan society, leading to what we know today as the Holocaust.  
    Nazi-controlled Europe was a terrible time, filled with hatred, confusion, and murder.  When the world discovered the evils that the Germans had been practicing; it jumped to its feet, promising ‘Never Again!’   Unfortunately though—as well meaning as this was—genocide still continues in our world today.  In the country of Sudan lies a place called Darfur, where the government is committing mass atrocities on its people, raping their women and girls, killing men, women, and children, and ignoring their desperate cries for help.
    This connection was made more personal to me while doing further research about the Holocaust, its survivors, and its victims.  In doing so, I came across Rutka Laskier, a 14 year old Polish Jew, and the story of her diary.  In an instant, the full impact of the Holocaust finally hit me: my heart felt heavy and hurt.  With my newfound Rutka and her story, I asked myself what I could do in the world today… and I was surprised with what I came up with.
    Being a teenager in a small town angered me at first- I’m just a regular kid- how can my input change the world?  But, suddenly, as if Rutka told me herself, I realized I was wrong- for I realized that arming a 14 year old with a laptop, or pencil and paper, or even the same determination and care that I have right now can oftentimes do a lot more than an adult giving a speech.  
    In fact, there are so many little things students can do to help - starting with submitting articles to local newspapers, starting up websites, posting on blogs, making YouTube videos, using Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, or simply spreading the word. On a larger scale, we can help build schools in Africa and the developing world, as my school has done in Sierra Leone.  Education prevents violence, disease, and helps so many minds to grow and prosper that may otherwise never get the chance!
    Darfur desperately needs our help- they’ve been reaching out, and now it’s time for us to grasp their hands and help them to their feet again.  After all, as citizens of the world, by standing by and watching evil unfold, doesn’t that make us guilty as well?    It is my hope that every American- no matter of their age, race, gender, or class- can reach out and end the prejudices and discrimination we have in our world.   In doing so, Rutka wouldn’t have died in complete vain; her legacy will live on, and her words may continue to touch the world.

Comments

[Unknown]

Absolutely A-mazing!
Wonderfully written and easy to relate to.

[Unknown]

Absolutely A-mazing!
Wonderfully written and easy to relate to.

[Unknown]

Touches the heart.
It makes me want to do something to help.
I love it!