Respect, acceptance, and social responsibility were key elements in a powerful presentation to Loyalist College Centre for Justice Studies students on March 22nd. Eva Olsson, an 86-year-old Holocaust survivor, spoke of the horrors she and her family experienced in the concentration camps.
The message Eva Olsson brought was not one of hatred or revenge. “I don’t hate – never. Hate is a killer. There is no exception. Each one of us is responsible for the choices we make.” She challenged those who feel blameless for actions they witness but do not commit. “When you stand by and watch others do harm, but do nothing to stop or prevent it, you are guilty also. During the Holocaust many looked the other way. Others risked their lives, and the lives of their families, to protect those being persecuted. Each generation learns from the one that precedes it. We must lead by example. No child is born racist – it is a learned behaviour.”
Lindsey Sinclair is a first-year Police Foundations student who attended the presentation. “I never imagined this would have such an impact on me. Everyone should hear this message. When I study a subject from a textbook or in a classroom it seems far away and impersonal. The Holocaust is very real to me now. Dr. Olsson’s strength and resolve are amazing. I will take the positive lessons she shared with us today and do my best to make them a part of my daily life.”
Melanie Rabishaw, a professor in Loyalist’s Centre for Justice Studies, explained what prompted her to arrange the presentation. “The inspiration for this event came from Erin Gruwell’s book Freedom Writers Diary and the movie Freedom Writers. I saw how her students were positively impacted by the work she did in the classroom. My Communications students were so enthusiastic about the book and movie that I wanted to carry that energy and interest into the next Communications course. Following Erin Gruwell’s example, I invited a Holocaust survivor to visit our students.
“Many of the injustices Eva Olsson spoke about are issues our students will face in the justice field. They can now say they have knowledge of the worst recorded human injustice. Hopefully they will be guided by tolerance and acceptance, not by hate. I know that our students were deeply affected by Dr. Olsson’s message – hate is unacceptable. Peace and acceptance are necessary. I hope that her message and this experience will live with them forever.”
Media Contact: Marilyn Warren, Communications, Loyalist College, (613) 969-1913, ext. 2332, email: mwarren@loyalistc.on.ca or Professor Melanie Rabishaw, (613) 969-1913, ext. 2439