Although, the exact date of her death is not definitely known; Anne Frank and her sister Margot Frank were spared immediate death in the Auschwitz gas chambers. Instead, they were sent to Bergen-Belsen, a concentration camp in Northern Germany where they died from Typhus sometime in late February or early March of 1945, just weeks before British forces liberated the camp. Around the same time their bodies were thrown into a mass grave, 73 years later, we remember their heroic story.
One of the most widely known victims of World War ll was a Jewish girl named Annelies Marie Frank. Hiding out in the Secret Annex, as she faced Nazi hatred and the daily threat of being captured, Anne described some of her innermost thoughts and feelings in a diary. This simple, life-affirming act created a book that brought a small light to a world darkened by war and genocide.
Unfortunately, the prejudice and hatred that produced the Holocaust have not disappeared from the world today. While they made not be as widespread or well reported on as during World War ll, the effects of battles continue to touch the lives of thousands everyday. From the Kashmir Conflict, to the Somalia Civil War to the Yemini Crisis to the Mexican Drug War; innocent civilians are being killed and injured.
Sadly, Canada is not immune, these global trends. Close to home, I have seen acts of discrimination. Just two weeks ago, a hate-filled letter was delivered to the Markaz Ul Islam mosque in Edmonton urging the mosque to “close down their fake worship house or leave and accept Jesus as the one true God.” It tells Muslims that they are guests in Canada and warns them not to overstay their welcome.
This is merely wrong. I believe, just as Anne Frank did seventy years ago, that every one of us should have the right to dream, work, learn, play and live in peace.
As despairing as all of this may seem, I think we must not dwell in unhappiness over these incidents. Living our lives in fear and hiding from the world produces the exact type of division that those promoting hate are aiming for. In my opinion, it is only by going out, talking with, learning about, caring for, and loving those around us that we will be able to change this world for the better.
I have read the story of Anne Frank several times, and every time I do so, I am inspired. Not only do I see the true power of those heart-wrenching words, but I am also reminded of all the love and hope out there even during the hardest times. Most importantly, her heroic writing motivates me to use my talents and interests to make a difference in my own community.
Anne Frank once wrote, “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” Let us all work together to create the kinder and fairer world of which Anne dreamed.
