Auschwitz: Reflection on Family and Visit
Hey everyone, welcome back to my blog. If you haven’t already, be sure to follow me for content that pertains to philosophy, history, and photography.
Today I’m going to talk about my trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau. This Nazi camp was utilized during the second World War as a means for the Nazis to obtain labor, perform scientific studies on humans, and, ultimately, kill thousands. I assume you already know about the Holocaust and of the millions of Poles, Russians, Hungarians, Gypsies, Jews, and others that perished in camps such as this one. This camp was perhaps the most notorious of the many the Nazis constructed, having been the location of an estimated million deaths and inhumane human experiments performed by Josef Mengele. I wanted to post pictures of the camp I took while visiting the site and give some perspective on the involvement of my family and most of Poland during the war effort.
I wanted to start off with the two most iconic sites at the camp.
Entrance to Birkenau, where most of the labor and prisoners were.
Entrance to Auschwitz accompanied by the infamous sign which states "Arbeit macht frei". Translated this stands for "Work sets you free". The sign in my picture is a replica for the original was stolen. Authorities, however, recovered the stolen sign and stored it in the State museum.
Often times gifted musicians were spared time to live in exchange for their ability to perform. In this picture is one location where such performances would occur.
Yes, there was a swimming pool at Auschwitz. In the book I'm reading about Mengele (by Posner and Ware) they mention that Auschwitz had a pool, soccer stadium, library, photo lab, theater, and even a brothel called "The Puff". I'm sure, however, these were for only Nazi officials and highly respected inmates. I only got to see the pool.
A wall were many were shot.
Cell of Maximilian Kolbe, my confirmation Saint.
Many were hanged here.
Gas chamber
Now we are in Birkenau
Alot of this camp was destroyed.
Memorial
One of the chambers destroyed.
Other chamber which was destroyed.
As for me and the Polish people, almost everyone was involved. Both sides of my family were a part of the war effort. From Guerilla units to even being an inmate at Auschwitz. I don't have much information regarding my great uncle Marian but I do know he somehow escaped and survived Auschwitz. The war and the camps are close to me, my family, and all of those effected by the war.
Overall there is so much to see and take in at this concentration camp but it is somewhere where you'd definently have to visit before you die. The attrocities commited by the Nazis will never be forgotten.
Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed, please do resteem and follow to see more similar content. Have a good day.
What a horrific experience it must have been for the poor souls that had to endure the torture, humiliation and eventual death sentence carried out on them by people completely brainwashed by their leaders.
It's proof that some people - even whole countries - will acquiesce and submit to malevolent authority for their own self preservation. Few heroes, many cowards.
Resteeming this to 10,000+ followers.
Wow, thank you! It only benefits humanity to share the sins we have commited.
Stop being a gullible #goodgoy
Interesting article, one must never forget the six million
It's interesting that a majority of the discussion of the Holocaust revolves around the Jews but there were many other victims. To dismiss all that died is foolish. I think it'd to better to remember ALL that died as all were human.
That's right but not only us, the Jewish people have suffered, many other people groups too. That's why those who deny the shoah (destruction called 'holocaust) is insulting many people, not just Jews.
#holodomor #bolshevikrevoution Forced #marxism by famine. #sixmillionlie a communist conspiracy profiting the banksters
I doubt even one highly respected inmate was allowed to swim in that pool, it's definitely reserved for high Nazi officials. I'm surprised to learn there was a brothel there, interesting. Thanks for the share!
Great post ! Today i just lost my job...i worked really hard as a waiter for like 10 years in a restaurant...worked night after night shifts but still they decide they don't need my services anymore and that they don't have money to pay me so they just kick me out . It was really hard for me to find this job because i don't have much education....i did't go to college...
The real problem is that i have a debt of 759 $ to my apartment rent and if i don't pay till the end of the month they gonna kick me out from my own home. I don't have friends and my family won't lend me any money...
My only hope now to raise this money is steemit...i like it alot here and the community is very nice...
Please if anybody would like to help me , a upvote would be awesome and would help me tremendously to raise the money i need .
Thank you very much for your help and i hope you have a great day .
👍
That's a terrible situation! I have upvoted and I think many many more people should do the same.
@toscani40 all the best...hope you do better!
In the meantime check my blogs? Might take your mind off of things 🌞☺️
Wow. What an article. This is the most moving and poignant articles I have read on Steemit. It brings back memories of my visit to Belson. A horrific time which should never be repeated.
hello @ slowpoke
what a good write up backed with vivid images, you know, when we talk about old events, especially sorrowful ones, it's not to invoke anger on the younger generation but to reflect on the past and create a room for reconciliation. we had a similar experience here in Nigeria, but ours was self-inflicted. that is the Nigerian-Biafran war (1967-1970) the authorities don't like it when the issue is raised and that has giving much room for more people to agitate.
the past is our mirror in which we can see the future. nice one pal
@arizonawise
Interesting war you mentioned, I would definitely have to read up about it. No matter what there will be some stigma carried against discussion of certain topics. Thank you for reading!
you welcome pal steem on!
Wow this is some heavy stuff, the sunny beautifull photos almost feel out of place for such a dim and dark historical location where such attrocities were commited.
I agree, thank you for the comment
Hey, I've been to Dachau once and it was quite a depressing experience. Thank you for sharing this.
I will post a review about a real good movie about czech resistance during WW2 tomorrow. If you are interested, check it out ;)
Thanks for the comment, I'll be sure to check it out!
Powerful pictures, man. I only ever knew the front side view of the entrance. And the story about your family is also interesting. I'll upvote and share your post.
Thank you. My great grandpa had quite the history in the war and as a high authority figure in Pińczów. I intend to make an article about it someday. Thanks for reading.
Scary