Letter: Article about Holocaust event had some misinterpretations
May 8, 2008
To the Editor:
I would like to clear up some misquotes in the article about my Holocaust presentation (The NEWS, May 5). Attached is the lecture that I presented on Thursday evening. As I am sure you will see from my words, the purpose of this lecture was to remind others of the importance of remembrance to “prevent one’s past from becoming another’s future.” The purpose was not to speak against the way that I was raised, and I would like to iterate the fact that my mother and I have a very healthy and loving relationship. I never said anything about not having a proper, loving relationship with my mother. She is just as much a part of this journey of “forgiveness, hope, love and remembrance” as I am.
A few minor corrections I would like to make are...
• Both of my grandmother’s parents were Jewish, not just her father. Her father was more religious, but both were Jewish.
• Your quote “In remembrance lies the seed of reformation and renewal.” I actually said, “In remembrance lies the seed of transformation and renewal.” In the context that I was speaking, there is a big difference between reformation and transformation.
The point of this lecture was to remember those who have suffered from the effects of war and to bring recognition to the fact that the suffering does not stop with the death of the witness. Trauma can carry through the family when it is not dealt with, and that can be very painful to everyone. I use my story as an example of millions. I am lucky enough to have a family that is becoming aware of the patterns that are being passed on, and I wish that for any other family that is the victim of a traumatic event such as war or abuse.
Andrea Keys
Athens
Editor’s notes: The necessary corrections have been made in the online version of the article in question.
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