211 - Be the Change - What Can We Do?

FEMALE NARRATOR In the age of instant information, it’s easy and understandable to think that we haven’t made a difference. Every day on the news and through the internet, we see horrible things taking place around the world. Evidence of injustice and cruelty is easy to find. But it only tells us the work isn’t done. First, it’s important to remind ourselves how far we’ve come and what strides we’ve made. Countries around the world have enacted laws and policies that promote human rights. The idea that human rights exist at all and that everyone on the planet should have them grows larger every day. And every day, people all over the world work hard to make other people’s lives better, through small acts of kindness and great acts of courage. We have created success in the midst of failures. And yet there is much more we need to do. If you’re wondering how you can help, just look around you. Where ever people need help, there’s an opportunity to advance human rights. From working in a food bank to marching in a protest, from speaking up for one person being bullied to speaking up for millions of marginalized, displaced, or desperate people. If we’ve learned anything from history, it should be this: when you have the chance to act, we hope you choose to stand with the oppressed, not the oppressor. If you want to see amazing examples of heroes here at the museum, a good place to start is with the rescuers and resistance exhibit in the Holocaust gallery. While many people stood by and did nothing, when the human rights of Jews and other groups were violated, there were some people who resisted the perpetrators and who took action to rescue the victims. In every example you see, someone made a difference in the lives of real people. In some cases, it was an immediate act of life or death. At other times, hundreds of small acts of resistance—over time and in different places—turned the arc of history away from death and evil and towards life and peace.

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Holocaust Museum Houston

Holocaust Museum Houston is dedicated to educating people about the Holocaust, remembering the 6 million Jews and other innocent victims and honoring the survivors’ legacy. Using the lessons of the Holocaust and other genocides, we teach the dangers of hatred, prejudice, and apathy.

 

  • 5401 Caroline
  • Houston United States
  • 713-942-8000
  • www.hmh.org