At work, we commemorated Holocaust Rememberance Day with a presentation defining antisemitism myths by the local (Mlps) JCRC (Jewish Community Relations Council). They began by explaining "who are the Jews." After a brief history, they said to be Jewish is to be in a "family," a community looking out for one another – a people. I thought of your mother Susie immediately. For all those times, she opened her house and gave up her time to create "community", with all of us on the Tweedy show, and getting you kids involved, and your Dad. He was the bait, of course but, by doing what Susie did for us, showing kindness during a difficult period, she was being Jewish to nth degree. I loved hearing her say "Happy Shabatt" on Friday nights. I'll always be grateful.
Hey Spencer ... first of all, thanks for sharing that very difficult but necessary story. Secondly, something you surely already know but which I want to tell you: Man, are you a good writer! I read a lot and wanna tell you that I was impressed by the eloquence of your piece. And that was especially so for the very last part. So true about taking a grain of hope out of the meager conclusion that they took pains to hide their actions (somewhat). Makes me angry all over again at george santos for trivializing the holocaust by using it to embellish his resume. And on that subject, google his name and "the ok sign he gave while voting in Congress." I just cant believe that hasn't gotten more publlicity.
I hope that if you ever get anything published, whether an article somewhere or hopefully one day, a book of some sort about some thing, that you will announce that on the Starship.
I think the universal response to first learning of the unspeakable horrors of the Holocaust is to ask “How, on any level, could this have been allowed to happen?” Yet the answer is plain as day and also universal: within us all lies the capability for searing hatred and violence, callous indifference and apathy, as well as strength, kindness, and selfless actions worthy of a superhero. It’s all there inside us. What we must do is understand and accept how easily we can be led to the dark edges of our humanity, and also that we are all here now because more people chose community over chaos.
If you haven’t seen it already, Ken Burns’ very recent documentary “The US and the Holocaust” is a timely and chilling must-watch account of what was happening HERE in the US in the lead-up to the Holocaust and thereafter.
Thank you for letting me be engrossed, moved and reminded of my inner feelings. Your description of the scene at the bar brought up so many memories of Booches and the toxic frat boy ensemble that would roll in. Thankfully art prevailed in your case! Your holocaust museum piece brought back all of the purple triangles cases too. Thank you so much Spencer.
Beautifully, respectfully and thoughtfully summarized and I appreciated the approach and thoughts. Hopefully more will choose to open their minds and hearts and choose commonality and empathy over fear and violence. And I'd agree that just talking more about it all is a good place to start.
It's also definitely always a tough learn as you get older that people your age (whatever age that may be at the time) have done both great and horrifying things... Each can be hard to grapple with for sure.
Out of curiosity, did the puppet show have a name or troupe name? Curious if they'll come DC way any time and we could catch them.
First time I walked by The Museum of Contemporary Art shortly after it started, looked to my right and saw the entire building wrapped in brown paper with a string (rope) around it..another French connection, my first encounter with artist, Christo! Loved his installations! On your other piece, reminded me that there is a documentary I think, about Rom in the concentration camps...have to search that out...outside of Chicago, Portland has largest concentration of Rom.
"Too many people smelled the smoke and did nothing". I'm not sure if you meant that to be read "straight" or metaphorically...it's a powerful statement either way. I was equally moved in learning that the Nazis, to some degree, tried to keep knowledge of their actions away from the general German public for fear of disapproval (or worse). I hadn't known that before. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Hi Spencer. Ambled onto your site after a prod from our Starship Casual Captain today. Excellent topics and writing. The Omaha Beach photo is a total mind grenade. I also recommend the PBS series mentioned below by David Levine. I’ve got the same birthday as your father, play drums, and have a son Spencer who turned 29 yesterday and writes and makes films, which, to borrow from Bogart, “don’t amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world,” but gives my new subscription a rather coincidental tinge.
Thank you, as always, for your insightful and thoughtful words. My mother was a young girl in Germany during the war. She said that when they were playing and did anything wrong, sometimes another kid would say something to the effect of “be careful or they’ll send you to...” meaning one of the camps. She was too young to really know anything, and she wouldn’t say if her parents had a clue. I never had a chance to talk with my grandparents about that time since they lived in Germany their whole lives.
At work, we commemorated Holocaust Rememberance Day with a presentation defining antisemitism myths by the local (Mlps) JCRC (Jewish Community Relations Council). They began by explaining "who are the Jews." After a brief history, they said to be Jewish is to be in a "family," a community looking out for one another – a people. I thought of your mother Susie immediately. For all those times, she opened her house and gave up her time to create "community", with all of us on the Tweedy show, and getting you kids involved, and your Dad. He was the bait, of course but, by doing what Susie did for us, showing kindness during a difficult period, she was being Jewish to nth degree. I loved hearing her say "Happy Shabatt" on Friday nights. I'll always be grateful.
Hey Spencer ... first of all, thanks for sharing that very difficult but necessary story. Secondly, something you surely already know but which I want to tell you: Man, are you a good writer! I read a lot and wanna tell you that I was impressed by the eloquence of your piece. And that was especially so for the very last part. So true about taking a grain of hope out of the meager conclusion that they took pains to hide their actions (somewhat). Makes me angry all over again at george santos for trivializing the holocaust by using it to embellish his resume. And on that subject, google his name and "the ok sign he gave while voting in Congress." I just cant believe that hasn't gotten more publlicity.
I hope that if you ever get anything published, whether an article somewhere or hopefully one day, a book of some sort about some thing, that you will announce that on the Starship.
Peace and love,
Chip Waldron
I think the universal response to first learning of the unspeakable horrors of the Holocaust is to ask “How, on any level, could this have been allowed to happen?” Yet the answer is plain as day and also universal: within us all lies the capability for searing hatred and violence, callous indifference and apathy, as well as strength, kindness, and selfless actions worthy of a superhero. It’s all there inside us. What we must do is understand and accept how easily we can be led to the dark edges of our humanity, and also that we are all here now because more people chose community over chaos.
If you haven’t seen it already, Ken Burns’ very recent documentary “The US and the Holocaust” is a timely and chilling must-watch account of what was happening HERE in the US in the lead-up to the Holocaust and thereafter.
Thank you for letting me be engrossed, moved and reminded of my inner feelings. Your description of the scene at the bar brought up so many memories of Booches and the toxic frat boy ensemble that would roll in. Thankfully art prevailed in your case! Your holocaust museum piece brought back all of the purple triangles cases too. Thank you so much Spencer.
Beautifully, respectfully and thoughtfully summarized and I appreciated the approach and thoughts. Hopefully more will choose to open their minds and hearts and choose commonality and empathy over fear and violence. And I'd agree that just talking more about it all is a good place to start.
It's also definitely always a tough learn as you get older that people your age (whatever age that may be at the time) have done both great and horrifying things... Each can be hard to grapple with for sure.
Out of curiosity, did the puppet show have a name or troupe name? Curious if they'll come DC way any time and we could catch them.
Beautifully handled, thank you. Also: beware all drunk Frenchman at first! Good man.
First time I walked by The Museum of Contemporary Art shortly after it started, looked to my right and saw the entire building wrapped in brown paper with a string (rope) around it..another French connection, my first encounter with artist, Christo! Loved his installations! On your other piece, reminded me that there is a documentary I think, about Rom in the concentration camps...have to search that out...outside of Chicago, Portland has largest concentration of Rom.
1. What a delight that show must have been! We will watch for a Minneapolis appearance.
2. Thank you for the thoughtful and heartbreaking words on the Holocaust. It's tragic that there's so much denial, and outright lack of awareness.
Be well, and we'll see you down the road. - Shannon and Joseph, Minneapolis
"Too many people smelled the smoke and did nothing". I'm not sure if you meant that to be read "straight" or metaphorically...it's a powerful statement either way. I was equally moved in learning that the Nazis, to some degree, tried to keep knowledge of their actions away from the general German public for fear of disapproval (or worse). I hadn't known that before. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Hi Spencer. Ambled onto your site after a prod from our Starship Casual Captain today. Excellent topics and writing. The Omaha Beach photo is a total mind grenade. I also recommend the PBS series mentioned below by David Levine. I’ve got the same birthday as your father, play drums, and have a son Spencer who turned 29 yesterday and writes and makes films, which, to borrow from Bogart, “don’t amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world,” but gives my new subscription a rather coincidental tinge.
Never turn down a world-renowned traveling puppet play! Ever!
Thank you, as always, for your insightful and thoughtful words. My mother was a young girl in Germany during the war. She said that when they were playing and did anything wrong, sometimes another kid would say something to the effect of “be careful or they’ll send you to...” meaning one of the camps. She was too young to really know anything, and she wouldn’t say if her parents had a clue. I never had a chance to talk with my grandparents about that time since they lived in Germany their whole lives.