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Take a Moment to Reflect
Many people are
unaware of the political situations surrounding the genocides of
post WWII in Eastern Europe. I'm
not referring to the public as much as to the people within the
ethnic organizations. Many
parties occur. These
parties are events where family and friends, with the same
backgrounds, come together to enjoy the food, music and dance. Such
events are a very important part of the culture. There
is another part that should be taught and viewed as important as
these parties. That is the reason for which all of these
organizations were established.
As I worked on
“The Forgotten Genocide Project” I ran into road blocks, not
because the stories weren't there, but because people didn't
want to hear about that part of their family history. This
is a painful part of the history of these organizations.
It is the history that brought them together and knowing
all aspects of the history is very important, especially if the
controversy is still going on today.
The time it
took to put this project together was not always happy-time; in
fact, there was probably one laugh to every ten cries. I
couldn't stop because it didn't make me happy. I couldn't stop
because it wasn't fun. It
can't stop being told because it's not the good part of the
history associated with the clubs and organizations that exist
today. For every
person who doesn't want to know about it there is one, maybe
even two who do.
Please keep
this part of the history of the ethnic German cleansing alive. Become
acquainted with all parts of the history. Teach
the dances, the songs and definitely how to cook the food; but
don't forget the pain. The generations that follow must know
that with all the joy there was pain. The
reason the festivals are put together is to teach the good; but
there must be a time to teach about the hardships. This
is the history that belongs to you and yours.
This is the history that brought these organizations to
where they are today. Don't
forget: always remember where you came from.
It is what made you who you are today.
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