The Holocuast was, by any measure, an incredible tragedy. And, unfortunately, it was not recognized as such for a few decades after the fact. When it finally gained recognition, organizations like the D.C. Holocaust muesum were born. It’s difficult to find the words to describe the experience. Was it beautiful? Beauty is a loaded word and perhaps does not do justice to the violence and death the Holorcaust produced. Graceful and Elegant convey much of the same shallow meaning. Harrowing is perhaps the best summation of the experience. The Holocuast is a well taught subject in schools, touched on in every history book, covered over and over again in increasing detail from elementary school through college. And yet so much is left out or impossible to experience within a classroom.
I spent 2 hours walking through the museum and still only saw about half of the exhibitions. To truly appreciate the Holocaust Museum, at least a day (or maybe 2) should be devoted to exploring it. The time needed to experience it is just one of the hints at the passionate time and effort that was put into crafting the space. No corners were cut, no part of the story was left out. The experience was a powerful one, not to be taken lightly, that moved visitors to tears in many cases. A space like this allows one to begin to appreciate and understand the full weight of such an event. Although Americans, due to distance from Eruope and general inaction in relation to the Holocuast, may never be able to grasp it and sympathize with those who lived through it, the Holocaust Museum brings vistors the closest to it, closer than any other experience could.
(To note, it is rather strange that, of all places a Holocaust Museum could be, it is located in D.C. While such education is highly important, the United States was wholly irrelevant in that aspect of World War Two.)