The Cost of Saluting Ignorance
by Vera Windish
The sharp sound of coins hitting the cold, metal floor of the bus
Pennies on the ground
“Pick them up Stupid Jew”
I feel myself shrink back, drowning in a sea of laughter
A cacophony of laughter, a sweat breaks out on my forehead
I look up
A hand stuck in the air
What is it doing?
Saluting, Nazi style
Saluting what?
Saluting ignorance
Fear
Why am I afraid to walk down the school hallway?
Ignorance
Why should I be?
I shouldn’t
“Vera look over here”
A swastika sticks harshly out against the bus window
Out of place
The laughter consumes my being, holding me hostage, again
And you ask, why is it important for students to learn about the Holocaust?
I’ll tell you why
Years spent in fear
Countless days spent sick to my stomach, violently anxious to go to school
“What even is the Holocaust?”
My mouth gapes open
My eyes shine on my friend with loving concern
And still you ask, why is it important for students to learn about the Holocaust?
Why must you ask
When some students don’t even know what it is?
Expressions
They change
Minds
They change
But when?
When that one offensive joke is one too many?
When they realize what they’re saying?
When they put a face to a place?
When they find some humanity?
And still you ask
Well I’m here to tell you
We need to instill our children with some humanity
Smug smirks turn to looks of pure guilt
And they should
At least the Holocaust unit inspires my classmates to stop
Stop harassing me
Stop and think
At least the Holocaust unit inspires me to fight for change
To instill my peers with humanity
To get school policy changed
I hope you’re done asking
Listen
I hope you start teaching
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