Together we must aspire to a more welcoming and safe Maine
Disarming intolerance and bigotry starts with education – this can be uncomfortable and scary, but it works.
Like so many people in Maine, my organization has been alarmed by the bigotry and vitriol of white supremacist groups holding public rallies that include directing racial slurs at passersby, chanting Nazi slogans, holding “Keep New England White” banners and covering their faces in black masks. There’s no place for hate in our state and nation. A small number of hate-filled people will not threaten our collective efforts to welcome newcomers and invite all people into our communities with appreciation and open hearts. We will not stand by and tolerate antisemitism in any form. We will speak out, we will remain united, and we will teach our children that bigotry and hate is wrong.
The Holocaust and Human Rights Center was founded by Holocaust survivors who witnessed and survived horrific atrocities. Their founding mission was to tell every student in Maine what happened to them so it will never happen again. From the earliest days, our community felt passionately that the rights of all people must be respected and honored – that no one should be marginalized, diminished or threatened because of identity.
This mission still guides us today: “To promote universal respect for human rights through outreach and education. Using the lessons of the Holocaust and other events, past and present, we encourage individuals and communities to reflect and act upon their moral responsibilities to confront prejudice, intolerance and discrimination.”
We offer 14 educational programs, free of charge, to schools across Maine. We work with communities and schools to confront bias and prejudice, to engage in open and honest conversations about how hate speech and “othering” affects individuals and communities. We have found that when we facilitate compassionate and honest conversations, schools and communities begin to build more welcoming and safe environments for all of its members.
Our belief in the power of education – listening to others, reflecting, feeling compassion – has guided the Holocaust and Human Rights Center from its inception. The important work we do, have always done, is grounded in the assurance that listening and speaking out are necessary acts of courage and seeds for social change. At the Holocaust and Human Rights Center we teach not only about the history of antisemitism, but also about how antisemitism has continued in both old and new forms into the present day. That includes tackling uncomfortable and frightening issues, a necessary step in building more open and inclusive communities.
We encourage you to join us in challenging the repetition of negative images and judgments that perpetuate stereotypes – and remember that the roots of the injustices targeted to specific groups dates back thousands of years. Spread the word on social media and your personal relationships. Contact your elected officials and ask for increased funding for antisemitic protections. Support anti-bias education in public school curriculum and urge teachers to discuss bullying that occurs both online and in the school so our children do not grow up thinking these words and actions are acceptable. Help our children learn, and internalize, that kindness and compassion create welcoming, connected communities.
Photo: A man walks through the gate of the Sachsenhausen Nazi death camp with the phrase “Arbeit macht frei” (“Work sets you free”) on International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Oranienburg, Germany, in 2019. Markus Schreiber/Associated Press, File
By Sara Lennon, Communications Coordinator at the Augusta-based Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine.