Reader feedback: The truth hurts

Re: Europe remembers, Volume 11, Number 4, January 31 - February 6, 2005

I am sorry the Slovak government has not said more about the treatment of the Jewish people during the terrible years of World War II.

True, many nations have some responsibility for how they treated the Jews. Hardly any nation was innocent, including Britain and the US.

There are many stories about how badly the Jews were treated in the US. I am truly sorry for that.

I have read a lot about World War II and tried to learn as much as possible. It is strange, but sad, how writers in some countries manipulate what happened back then to their own point of view.

But as I have read more deeply into the subject my eyes have been opened more and more.

I love my parents' homeland Slovakia, and want to know all that I can about the country. I read many versions of what happened in Slovakia from 1939 to 1945.

I was all for Slovakia's viewpoints at one time, but I have had to read for myself the reality of what happened.

It is very sad. The truth hurts, but the truth must be known. Until the Slovak government issues a statement more directly about their treatment of their Jews back then, than it will only be token apologies.

We must all face the truth and acknowledge what took place back then and never let it happen again.

Sadly, as we see in news reports throughout the world, there are still those who advocate hatred of the Jewish people.

It has been more than 60 years since the Holocaust and still atrocities are happening around the world. Just look around and take your pick.

Haven't we learned anything? Aren't we able to practise what we preach? To treat each other with respect?

But, I'm afraid you can't get respect unless you show respect.

The realistic way to correct the future is to accept what happened during those years and to teach our children, the future leaders of the world, the truth. And lead by example, not just by our words.

Vince Stankay,
Florida, USA

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