Emily Eyberg
ENG-102-104
Mr. NEUBURGER
14 December 2011
Final Essay
By far this has been the best semester I have had in my entire college career. Numerous factors created such a wonderful semester; a supportive mathematics instructor, leaving behind friends which we’re never supportive in the first place, and this English composition course .Having a supportive and kind instructor helps a student in a variety of ways. Firstly, as Mr. Neuburger showed throughout the entire semester, if an instructor is willing to assist a student and help them throughout the steps of writing a research paper or exploring new technology, it allows a student to push themselves further.
Looking back on my English composition 101 course, I realize the instructor I had for that course was not used to a teaching environment nor was she anxious to help her students in the classroom. There were numerous things in which my 101 instructor left out during that semester, which I would need for 102 and simply future writing. One of the things which the instructor failed to teach was how to integrate sources properly in a paper, and to refer to the MLA documentation textbook rather than a random person.
In my writing, I much prefer to write a story rather than a research paper filled with citations and facts. However, I have learned it is crucial to buckle down and put myself in a research writing mode. Even just a few years ago when writing I would switch topics mid-sentence. A thought would form in my mind and I would have to write it down otherwise, who know what little bits of wisdom I would have lost. At the beginning of the semester when we were writing short essays and the criteria were given, strangely the word count was not much of an issue. I found myself able to zone in on the topic and write only about it, focusing on my citation and formatting. I am grateful for a word count limit on those essays, as they help one stay on track, and in the future if a company is in need of a document that must be concise and readable, I will refer back to my composition course with Mr. Neuburger. When it came time to begin the research paper, I was anxious to begin documenting my sources and pulling up files. My reasoning behind this was my visit to Israel while my father was in Seminary. I travelled to both Israel, Greece, and Turkey but I truly fell in love with Israel. The history, the pain and endurance of the people of Israel is an incredibly powerful thought.
Throughout the semester, Mr. Neuburger waked each student through the steps of researching and writing. I found this very formative and helpful, as many instructors fail to assist their students on topics which they struggle in. Technology in the classroom has turned away from a mere trend in the changing times to an essential tool in the classroom. Using the social networking site Twitter was a different experience in a classroom for me, but I loved how we were able to incorporate modern technology while still staying true to an English class. In particular I found the site Diigo to be extremely helpful. After writing numerous research papers and other essays throughout high school and college, finally having a place to store all of my sources in an easy to access place was a life-saver. I vividly remember numerous notebooks full of urls, notes about research tabs, and pages marked in encyclopedias. The encyclopedia pages are still marked throughout my house, but my tabs are now evenly sorted into Diigo.
A big factor most composition courses are missing in the college setting is an open discussion between students and instructor. Throughout the course of this semester, Mr. Neuburger frequently brought up discussions which invoked one to think outside of the box. Also, the quick responses via email and in person were incredibly helpful. I feel a research paper should be included in any class where it is possible. Not only is the ability to write a well formatted paper crucial to a college career but it is also useful in the business world.
As Mr.Neburger stated, his previous class worked on two research papers throughout one semester. Personally, I feel with a minimum of three other classes, to accurately and diligently work on a research paper, one paper a semester should suffice. However, there is nothing wrong with pushing a student to do their very best.
One of my favorite things from this semester was writing the ‘I am from’ poem. I absolutely loved the assignment and being able to receive feedback from Mr. Neuburger was helpful personally and academically. I hope this assignment will be used in future classes as well.
I feel this was by far one of the best classes I have had to date, honestly I cannot think of a single assignment or due date I would have changed.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Friday, December 9, 2011
Holocaust Research Paper
Research Paper
Holocaust Overview
Emily Eyberg
ENG 201-104
Mr. Neuburger
November 18, 2011
After her liberation from Auschwitz, Holocaust survivor Simone Veil stated, “It’s here, where absolute evil was perpetrated, that the will must resurface for a fraternal world, a world based on respect of man and his dignity.” (qtd. In Survivor Quotes) Evil presents itself everywhere in our world and always will. To say events such as the Holocaust must never happen again is foolish as it continues to happen frequently to people of varying religions and skin color. To dive into the depths of the Holocaust is an altogether painful idea. Nothing compares to the pain and cruelty endured by those who suffered through the Holocaust. It is important to be aware of the facts of the Holocaust and not merely the propaganda. Most people are aware of the Holocaust but understanding how Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party were able to systemically murder over eleven million people in a very short period of time is as important today as ever.
Anti-Semitism
The Holocaust began with the growing hatred instigated by anti-Semitic Europeans. According to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM), in 1879, German journalist Wilhelm Marr coined the term anti-Semitism in an attempt to describe hatred towards those of Jewish descent. Marr also applied anti-Semitism to hating equal rights, pacifism, free trade, and other free thinking ideas. (Anti-Semitism: the Longest Hatred) The idea of closing out all forms of free-thinking or anything that goes against Nazi rule is disgusting, which is exactly what the Nazis believed to be the best, and only, way. Anti-Semitism has been going long before the Holocaust. In 1807 Napoleon forced Rabbis to leave their positions and place their loyalty only to France and Napoleon himself. (Timeline of Anti-Semitism before the Holocaust) According to USHMM, “History has shown that wherever anti-Semitism has gone unchecked, the persecution of others has been present or not far behind. Defeating anti-Semitism must be a cause of great importance not only for Jews, but for all people who value humanity and justice.” (Anti-Semitism- The Longest Hatred) Leading up to the death camps, pogroms began to form, leading to a greater sense of fear and need to protect one’s self. A pogrom is an extremely violent riot launched by anti-Semitic voices, encouraged by government authorities aimed against Jews. A sickening rumor was started, stating Jews used the blood of Christian children for ‘rituals’ (USHMM). The Nazis spurred such rumors tenfold into the community of people to increase propaganda and encourage young men to join their forces. Jews were considered ugly, non-German, unappealing in every aspect in the Nazi mindset.
Nuremberg Laws
The late summer of any year may bring lovely memories. However, the late summer of 1935 in Germany, was yet another black mark against the Nazis and a painful scar upon those of Jewish descent. The Nuremberg Laws as they came to be known, defined what a Jew is, and what each person is allowed to do and not allowed to do. The Laws excluded German-Jews from Reich citizenship, (USHMM) which included marrying or relations with any ‘legitimate German blood’. A Jew was not defined purely by religious belief, in fact it was almost opposite of that. The Laws put in to place stated a Jew was anyone who had grandparents of Jewish belief, usually at least two to three generations previously. Many of those who were known as Jews hadn’t actually practiced their beliefs at any time in their lives. Anyone from the most deeply devoted Rabbi, to a completely unorthodox, non-practicing Jew, was branded as an equal member of said race (USHMM). More than merely an attempt to distinguish the differences between a ‘German-Jew’ and a ‘Reich German’, this was furthering the loss of rights for Jewish citizens. One by one, the rights and respect of Jewish people were stripped away from them by such ignorant, idiotic beliefs.
Another attempt at Nazi propaganda was witnessed during the Olympic Games of 1936 in Berlin. To ensure Hitler and his forces were viewed in a good light, or at least more favorable than a group of anti-Semitic hateful people, the Nazis put on a heartbreaking façade of lies yet again. As in the film “A Film Unfinished”, we see excellent attempts at lying to people outside of Germany, to encourage others to buy in to the brainwashing propaganda.
Kristallnacht.
“The night of broken glass, the shattering of windows” of homes and synagogues rang in the ears of the Jewish people, the glass was shattering as their lives shattered with it. During ‘Kristallnacht’ the homes and businesses of Jewish people were broken into, and the windows broken. While Jewish people stood by helplessly, their homes and careers were destroyed. Pogroms began taking place in Russia and other places, since at least 1934 creating walls and isolation for the Jewish people. However, as time went on vicious pogroms took place. Through Germany, some parts of Czechoslovakia, and certain areas of Sudetenland, were occupied by German troops and led vicious riots against the Jewish people. There is no doubt that the pogroms were instigated by the Nazi party, led by Adolf Hitler. The officials and their members were known as Sturmabteilungen; Assault Detachments aka storm troopers, and of course the Hitler Youth. We see in the film “Blues Brothers” the brothers ‘hate Illinois Nazis’, and in “Animal House” the ‘Hitler youth’ flooding the minds of young people. Although we laugh and enjoy ourselves in these comical movies, we cannot forget the truths that are held here.
Rounding up of Jews- the Ghettos
Starting in 1939 and continuing through 1945, the Nazis were in need of a plan to keep the Jews all in one place where they could “keep an eye on them’ more effectively. It started in Poland. This goes back to anti-Semitic beliefs ranging all the way back to the 16th and 17th centuries in Rome, Prague, and Frankfurt. Before the actual ghettos were set up, walls were created, to form a sense of separation from the Jewish-Germans to the full blood Germans. According to Rossell on the Web, (Holocaust: An End to Innocence) by 1941 however, most Polish Jews were moved to Warsaw, Kovno, Krakow, Lublin, and other cities. The cities where the Jews were housed were nothing more than slums, where filth and disease spread steadily, while despair raged and hope fell faint. To move the Jews into one gathered area, the Western Jews were moved east towards Poland to join Polish Jews. Yet again, more walls were put up, this time to separate the Jews from the Polish people, thusly establishing ghettos. At least 1,000 ghettos were established, the majority of these were in Poland, and however others were in German-occupied territory and the Soviet Union. The first ghetto was created in Poland in Piotrkow Trybunalski in 1939 in. The main goal of the ghettos was to create a place to house the Jews, along with giving the Nazis time to debate about options for them, all of which horrifying. All of the Nazis knew they did not want the Jews around, and in reality were dancing around what they really wanted to do; exterminate them. Many of the ghettos were short lived, taking the extremely small ghettos and transferring the people there to the larger ones. The ghettos were first viewed by the Jews as a new place to live, with stronger laws, but at least they would be in the same area. Upon first arrival into the Ghettos, each person was inspected. If a person was fit enough, they were made to work, if a person was not fit for work, then he/she did not receive food tickets, thus resulting in starvation. At first, the ghettos had a decent amount of food for each person, though as time went on the food dwindled, and the Nazis had no desire to maintain the food supply in healthy portions. Many of the people died of starvation and disease. Instead of a trash system people today have become accustomed to, the trash was dumped out of the windows into the streets. Dead bodies had nowhere to go until the mass burials were set up, except for the streets. Numerous families were crammed into areas the sizes of studio apartments. The ghettos were run by Jewish councils, (Judenrats) they were responsible for fulfilling Nazi orders. It was made to believe that the Judenrats had better lives than those who were not, but their lives were just as terrible. The biggest ghettos were that of Warsaw and Auschwitz; however Warsaw was the most famous. Over 75, 00 people died of starvation and disease in the ghettos. Children attempted to scavenge for food all over the ‘towns’ but found little relief. In the midst of creating Nazi propaganda, the Nazis would have the healthiest looking Jews pose in front of shops and nice apartments, as if it were their own. Many of the Jews who agreed to pose for the cameramen had hope this would allow them food or some sort of help, however they were sadly mistaken. As time went on, the Nazis became stricter, crueler, and even more heartless. With the Nazis scrambling to come up with an ideal ‘cure’ for the Jews, the solution was made clear. (http://www.aish.com/ho/o/48959726.html).
Wannsee Conference- The Final Solution
In mathematics, people must derive a final solution to a problem in which they are attempting to solve. The person attempts different methods, asking for input from others, and eventually comes up with their final solution. The Nazis attempts at finding a ‘final solution’ to their “Jewish problem’’ was much more than a simple mathematical problem. It was the successful attempt at permanent destruction of an entire people. Families torn apart loved ones murdered right in front of children’s eyes. It did not matter to the Nazis who they alienated, only that they covered their tracks, like scared mice running from a bright light. They were unremorseful and as hateful towards the Jewish people, and any non-German, as they ever could be, yet they had to hide the evidence.
According to a detailed account of the minutes of the Conference (Minutes of the Wannasee Conference) the conference had two main objectives: to inform other governments and agencies of the details of the plan and to let others be aware that Hitler had tasked Heydrich and the RSHA with the planning. Without even a hint of remorse or deliberation that the plan should be put into action the conference instead discussed how to put the plan into action quickly and seamlessly. As the minutes of the conference show, those who were in attendance were aware that the NSR (National Socialist Regime) had already begun mass murders of Jewish people in German occupied lands. Not a single person raised an objection to past actions or the plan that was created .The implementation of the plan was to destroy every ghetto that the Nazis had created, and, in the end, murdering every European Jew they could get their sadistic hands on. This began in 1941, transporting the Jews by trains to the death camps. Heydrich, Hitler’s go to man, planned out the numbers, as if counting out stacking bears; 11,000,000 Jews in Europe would be in the “Final Solution” Most of the Jews now were marked, or already in the imprisonment of the Nazis, however if there was any question, the Nazis referred back to the Nuremberg laws to decide what a Jew was. The trains in which the Jews would be transported on were cramped to the extremes, many died on the trains before even reaching the camps. The assumption of the Jews was that it was now forced labor, but in a similar setting to the ghettos. As each train arrived, any Jew that could work and do so for at least a while was put in one line, while the others, were put in another.
Selektion
Once the final decision had been made and began to be put into place, the question rose, who would be killed as soon as they got off the train, and who would last a few hours, days, weeks longer. According to a testimony in his personal biography Jack Kagan (http://bit.ly/qUjnWv) stated that the selection process had no reason for who went to work and who went into the dark, ominous building. The Nazis asked the prisoners a series of questions; what their profession was, how many children they had, and then were evaluated by how they appeared. Two people could be of similar backgrounds, age, and family relations, however one would go to the left, to work, the other to the right through the doors to a slow death. In an interview of Holocaust survivors (http://bit.ly/sqwa3B), Fritzie Weiss Fritzshall, stated that “If one didn't look right for whatever reason to the particular person that was doing the selection. One never knew if they were in the good line or the bad line.” It did not matter the true age of a person imprisoned. In the harsh conditions of the camps, an eighteen year old young woman could appear to be in her late forties. Fritzshall recalled that often times when the women’s hair would begin to grow back, they would take the coal from a burnt fire and rub it on their heads, to appear even a little younger. Every day it was a struggle to see who was randomly dragged from what was left of their family into the gas chamber, and who would live for one more terrifying day.
Extermination Methods
Holding on to the hand of your young child, both your and her ribcages stick out, whisper a prayer to Jehovah to keep safe and hold your child in His arms. You look into the eyes of the men who hold the weapon that will take all light from your eyes. The order is given; pop, pop, pop. The bodies fall and there is no more muted sobs from a child.
To the left, to the left, to the left, to the right. No reason as to why one person is sentenced to be shot, another to work, another to be gassed. A woman has her head shaved, stripped of all clothing and what has remained of her dignity. A few hundred are shoved into a tight cramped room; light peeks through in the slats. Young children cry for their mothers, some women sob, while others have nothing left inside them. A loud noise is echoed through the room and a yell from a German accent is heard. Instantly the overpowering smell of gaseous fumes from trucks is released into the room. Trying to breathe, with no avail, steadily the bodies drop to the floor.
Each extermination method was heartless and cruel, as time progressed however; they became more technical and advanced. Mass shootings, gas chambers, and gas trucks. The Nazis quickly discovered that the mass shootings were inefficient and wasted ammunition. Mass graves were dug throughout Germany and Poland to dispose of the bodies, but the Nazis quickly realized they needed a way to get rid of all of their evidence for their evil crimes. As a person is gassed in the chambers, or in a gas truck, they are then hauled into the mass graves. The difference between these graves and others is that here the bodies were burned until there was nothing left. The death camps themselves were the places of pure extermination. Whereas there were also labor camps that contained extermination and sick experimentation on the people, and holding camps as if they were in limbo between Heaven and Hell.
Liberation
For those who had managed to not be gassed, shot, or starved, they were forced through death marches; the name states its purpose plainly. The Nazis gathered up the remaining people captive in the camps and forced those to march back to Germany, across Poland in an effort to continue to hide the evidence from the approaching allied forces. As the forces moved across Europe, they began to find bodies throughout the land, some clinging on to their last breath. In addition, Soviet forces were the first to approach a Nazi camp, in the summer of 1944. These young men had already witnessed the brutality of war and the images that are burned into their brains; however, when viewing the camps, they were shown a whole new side of brutality. The Germans were aware that allied forces were on the move to save those imprisoned, but were taken off guard at the how swiftly they moved. Again, reverting back to their cowardly state, the Nazis attempted to hide the evidence. The Nazis demolished camps by setting fire to the crematorium, pulling down fences and destroying the shanties. However, the gas chambers still stood, as we have photographic evidence. Belzec, Sobibor, and Treblinka were fairly well dismantled by 1943; however the allied forces still were able to find what was left. Including shoes, ashes of those burnt and the absolute feeling of pure evil. Auschwitz, the largest concentration and extermination camp was freed in January 1945, by the Soviets. However, there were very few prisoners left there since the death marches. Only several thousand prisoners were remaining, barely alive or dying. Furthermore ,in the remaining buildings that had not been completely destroyed, the Soviets found suits, women’s outfits, small children’s shoes, and possibly even more disturbing 14,000 pounds of human hair. As time went on, so did the liberations. The Soviets continued to push through Poland, liberating Stutthof, Ravensbrueck, and Sachsenhausen concentration camps. The good olde boys in blue from the U.S. liberating Buchenwald which is located near Weimar, Germany, on April 11, 1945, a mere few days after the Nazis began to cleanse the camp. A group of resistance prisoners living underground in Buchenwald seized control of the remaining Nazi guards to prevent further crimes against the people. At Buchenwald alone, 20,000 prisoners were liberated. Along with Buchenwald, American forces also freed those at Dora-Mittelbau, Flossenburg, Dachau, and Mauthusen. Neuengamme, Bergen-Belsen, and others in Northern Germany were liberated by the British forces around April of 1945. A spread of Typhus was found in most camps but particularly in Bergen-Belsen. Around 60,000 prisoners were in critical condition, yet alive, more than 10,000 people died from starvation or disease just a few weeks shy of liberation.(USHMM) It breaks one’s heart to hear that many could have been saved if the forces were only a few weeks earlier.
The Soldiers that took place in the Liberations encountered sickening and horrifying things. Those who had survived the camps appeared to be nothing more than skeletons one would find in a teaching hospital. Piles of bodies, shoes meant for three year old children, men and women with hallowed eyes, for their souls had been so brutally torn apart.
Those who were young enough to tell their stories in later years still live with fear on a daily basis. The amount of those who suffer with Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder was in the millions, some entering counseling, others mental institutions.
Going through the list of forces that joined together to liberate those held in captivity causes one to feel a sense of pride in each of those nations. However, to take a cynical note, why were these actions not taken sooner, is it not our personal duty to help others of the human race to be freed?
After Liberation
How could the people return to a home which had been destroyed, when the thoughts of anti-Semitism still ran rampant? According to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (Aftermath of the Holocaust), directly after the Holocaust, numerous pogroms took place in Poland, many resulting in death by beating. According to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, tens of thousands of homeless survivors headed west towards liberated lands held by western allies. The now freed captives went from a series of death camps to camps for displaced persons. The United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration stepped in to aid the administration of the camps in the allied areas. However, with most administrations, the attention to each individual was lacking. Varying agencies and volunteers worked to aid the Jewish people to homes and somehow starting over. The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee provided shelters which included food and clothing. At this point many of the Jews were feeling the yearning to return home, to Israel, however it would come at yet another cost. Since immigration transportation and paperwork took time and funds that were limited, the journey to Palestine were a difficult one. The British put many restrictions on entering Palestine; many of European borders closed their supposed open doors to these lost people. In 1944, the Jewish Brigade Group, which was a unit of the British army, was formed, joining with former partisan fighters. The group created an organization titled Brihah, which is Hebrew for “flight” or “escape”, fitting. This group aided Jewish people somehow find passageway into Palestine, however the British authorities stopped many of the ships. The Exodus of 1947 forced 4,500 Holocaust survivors to return to Germany, many of these were placed in detention camps, some managed to make it to Palestine, and others died while in the detention camps.
Finally, a glimmer of light shown upon the faces of those who had known only darkness. The State of Israel was established in May, 1948. 170,000 and more displaced persons migrated into Israel, what would be a hope for safety and peace. In the winter of 1945, President Harry Truman mandated that a directive be issued so that the quota of immigration would be loosened. Many other Jewish refugees in Europe immigrated as displaced persons to varying parts of the world; Mexico, South Africa, and Canada.
The acts of the Holocaust cannot ever be undone, nor taken back. However, those who have been haunted by the terror may hope to one day find peace.
Works Cited
1942, September. "Life in the Ghettos." United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Web. 15 Nov. 2011.
"70 Years Ago: "Kristallnacht" in Germany." Ask an Expert at Able2know - Ask Questions, Share Answers. Horizontal Vertical. Web. 09 Nov. 2011.
"Antisemitism: The Longest Hatred." United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Web. 15 Nov. 2011.
"Documentation of Selektion." Research Facility. Web. 15 Nov. 2011.
"Education on Holocaust." The Danish Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies. Web. 15 Nov. 2011.
"Gas Chambers." Central Page. Holocaust Research. Web. 15 Nov. 2011.
"A Holocaust Photo Essay." Welcome to English « Department of English, College of LAS, University of Illinois. Modern English Sponsor. Web. 15 Nov. 2011.
"Killing People Through Gas In Extermination and Concentration Camps." Jewish Virtual Library - Homepage. Web. 15 Nov. 2011.
Holocaust Overview
Emily Eyberg
ENG 201-104
Mr. Neuburger
November 18, 2011
After her liberation from Auschwitz, Holocaust survivor Simone Veil stated, “It’s here, where absolute evil was perpetrated, that the will must resurface for a fraternal world, a world based on respect of man and his dignity.” (qtd. In Survivor Quotes) Evil presents itself everywhere in our world and always will. To say events such as the Holocaust must never happen again is foolish as it continues to happen frequently to people of varying religions and skin color. To dive into the depths of the Holocaust is an altogether painful idea. Nothing compares to the pain and cruelty endured by those who suffered through the Holocaust. It is important to be aware of the facts of the Holocaust and not merely the propaganda. Most people are aware of the Holocaust but understanding how Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party were able to systemically murder over eleven million people in a very short period of time is as important today as ever.
Anti-Semitism
The Holocaust began with the growing hatred instigated by anti-Semitic Europeans. According to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM), in 1879, German journalist Wilhelm Marr coined the term anti-Semitism in an attempt to describe hatred towards those of Jewish descent. Marr also applied anti-Semitism to hating equal rights, pacifism, free trade, and other free thinking ideas. (Anti-Semitism: the Longest Hatred) The idea of closing out all forms of free-thinking or anything that goes against Nazi rule is disgusting, which is exactly what the Nazis believed to be the best, and only, way. Anti-Semitism has been going long before the Holocaust. In 1807 Napoleon forced Rabbis to leave their positions and place their loyalty only to France and Napoleon himself. (Timeline of Anti-Semitism before the Holocaust) According to USHMM, “History has shown that wherever anti-Semitism has gone unchecked, the persecution of others has been present or not far behind. Defeating anti-Semitism must be a cause of great importance not only for Jews, but for all people who value humanity and justice.” (Anti-Semitism- The Longest Hatred) Leading up to the death camps, pogroms began to form, leading to a greater sense of fear and need to protect one’s self. A pogrom is an extremely violent riot launched by anti-Semitic voices, encouraged by government authorities aimed against Jews. A sickening rumor was started, stating Jews used the blood of Christian children for ‘rituals’ (USHMM). The Nazis spurred such rumors tenfold into the community of people to increase propaganda and encourage young men to join their forces. Jews were considered ugly, non-German, unappealing in every aspect in the Nazi mindset.
Nuremberg Laws
The late summer of any year may bring lovely memories. However, the late summer of 1935 in Germany, was yet another black mark against the Nazis and a painful scar upon those of Jewish descent. The Nuremberg Laws as they came to be known, defined what a Jew is, and what each person is allowed to do and not allowed to do. The Laws excluded German-Jews from Reich citizenship, (USHMM) which included marrying or relations with any ‘legitimate German blood’. A Jew was not defined purely by religious belief, in fact it was almost opposite of that. The Laws put in to place stated a Jew was anyone who had grandparents of Jewish belief, usually at least two to three generations previously. Many of those who were known as Jews hadn’t actually practiced their beliefs at any time in their lives. Anyone from the most deeply devoted Rabbi, to a completely unorthodox, non-practicing Jew, was branded as an equal member of said race (USHMM). More than merely an attempt to distinguish the differences between a ‘German-Jew’ and a ‘Reich German’, this was furthering the loss of rights for Jewish citizens. One by one, the rights and respect of Jewish people were stripped away from them by such ignorant, idiotic beliefs.
Another attempt at Nazi propaganda was witnessed during the Olympic Games of 1936 in Berlin. To ensure Hitler and his forces were viewed in a good light, or at least more favorable than a group of anti-Semitic hateful people, the Nazis put on a heartbreaking façade of lies yet again. As in the film “A Film Unfinished”, we see excellent attempts at lying to people outside of Germany, to encourage others to buy in to the brainwashing propaganda.
Kristallnacht.
“The night of broken glass, the shattering of windows” of homes and synagogues rang in the ears of the Jewish people, the glass was shattering as their lives shattered with it. During ‘Kristallnacht’ the homes and businesses of Jewish people were broken into, and the windows broken. While Jewish people stood by helplessly, their homes and careers were destroyed. Pogroms began taking place in Russia and other places, since at least 1934 creating walls and isolation for the Jewish people. However, as time went on vicious pogroms took place. Through Germany, some parts of Czechoslovakia, and certain areas of Sudetenland, were occupied by German troops and led vicious riots against the Jewish people. There is no doubt that the pogroms were instigated by the Nazi party, led by Adolf Hitler. The officials and their members were known as Sturmabteilungen; Assault Detachments aka storm troopers, and of course the Hitler Youth. We see in the film “Blues Brothers” the brothers ‘hate Illinois Nazis’, and in “Animal House” the ‘Hitler youth’ flooding the minds of young people. Although we laugh and enjoy ourselves in these comical movies, we cannot forget the truths that are held here.
Rounding up of Jews- the Ghettos
Starting in 1939 and continuing through 1945, the Nazis were in need of a plan to keep the Jews all in one place where they could “keep an eye on them’ more effectively. It started in Poland. This goes back to anti-Semitic beliefs ranging all the way back to the 16th and 17th centuries in Rome, Prague, and Frankfurt. Before the actual ghettos were set up, walls were created, to form a sense of separation from the Jewish-Germans to the full blood Germans. According to Rossell on the Web, (Holocaust: An End to Innocence) by 1941 however, most Polish Jews were moved to Warsaw, Kovno, Krakow, Lublin, and other cities. The cities where the Jews were housed were nothing more than slums, where filth and disease spread steadily, while despair raged and hope fell faint. To move the Jews into one gathered area, the Western Jews were moved east towards Poland to join Polish Jews. Yet again, more walls were put up, this time to separate the Jews from the Polish people, thusly establishing ghettos. At least 1,000 ghettos were established, the majority of these were in Poland, and however others were in German-occupied territory and the Soviet Union. The first ghetto was created in Poland in Piotrkow Trybunalski in 1939 in. The main goal of the ghettos was to create a place to house the Jews, along with giving the Nazis time to debate about options for them, all of which horrifying. All of the Nazis knew they did not want the Jews around, and in reality were dancing around what they really wanted to do; exterminate them. Many of the ghettos were short lived, taking the extremely small ghettos and transferring the people there to the larger ones. The ghettos were first viewed by the Jews as a new place to live, with stronger laws, but at least they would be in the same area. Upon first arrival into the Ghettos, each person was inspected. If a person was fit enough, they were made to work, if a person was not fit for work, then he/she did not receive food tickets, thus resulting in starvation. At first, the ghettos had a decent amount of food for each person, though as time went on the food dwindled, and the Nazis had no desire to maintain the food supply in healthy portions. Many of the people died of starvation and disease. Instead of a trash system people today have become accustomed to, the trash was dumped out of the windows into the streets. Dead bodies had nowhere to go until the mass burials were set up, except for the streets. Numerous families were crammed into areas the sizes of studio apartments. The ghettos were run by Jewish councils, (Judenrats) they were responsible for fulfilling Nazi orders. It was made to believe that the Judenrats had better lives than those who were not, but their lives were just as terrible. The biggest ghettos were that of Warsaw and Auschwitz; however Warsaw was the most famous. Over 75, 00 people died of starvation and disease in the ghettos. Children attempted to scavenge for food all over the ‘towns’ but found little relief. In the midst of creating Nazi propaganda, the Nazis would have the healthiest looking Jews pose in front of shops and nice apartments, as if it were their own. Many of the Jews who agreed to pose for the cameramen had hope this would allow them food or some sort of help, however they were sadly mistaken. As time went on, the Nazis became stricter, crueler, and even more heartless. With the Nazis scrambling to come up with an ideal ‘cure’ for the Jews, the solution was made clear. (http://www.aish.com/ho/o/48959726.html).
Wannsee Conference- The Final Solution
In mathematics, people must derive a final solution to a problem in which they are attempting to solve. The person attempts different methods, asking for input from others, and eventually comes up with their final solution. The Nazis attempts at finding a ‘final solution’ to their “Jewish problem’’ was much more than a simple mathematical problem. It was the successful attempt at permanent destruction of an entire people. Families torn apart loved ones murdered right in front of children’s eyes. It did not matter to the Nazis who they alienated, only that they covered their tracks, like scared mice running from a bright light. They were unremorseful and as hateful towards the Jewish people, and any non-German, as they ever could be, yet they had to hide the evidence.
According to a detailed account of the minutes of the Conference (Minutes of the Wannasee Conference) the conference had two main objectives: to inform other governments and agencies of the details of the plan and to let others be aware that Hitler had tasked Heydrich and the RSHA with the planning. Without even a hint of remorse or deliberation that the plan should be put into action the conference instead discussed how to put the plan into action quickly and seamlessly. As the minutes of the conference show, those who were in attendance were aware that the NSR (National Socialist Regime) had already begun mass murders of Jewish people in German occupied lands. Not a single person raised an objection to past actions or the plan that was created .The implementation of the plan was to destroy every ghetto that the Nazis had created, and, in the end, murdering every European Jew they could get their sadistic hands on. This began in 1941, transporting the Jews by trains to the death camps. Heydrich, Hitler’s go to man, planned out the numbers, as if counting out stacking bears; 11,000,000 Jews in Europe would be in the “Final Solution” Most of the Jews now were marked, or already in the imprisonment of the Nazis, however if there was any question, the Nazis referred back to the Nuremberg laws to decide what a Jew was. The trains in which the Jews would be transported on were cramped to the extremes, many died on the trains before even reaching the camps. The assumption of the Jews was that it was now forced labor, but in a similar setting to the ghettos. As each train arrived, any Jew that could work and do so for at least a while was put in one line, while the others, were put in another.
Selektion
Once the final decision had been made and began to be put into place, the question rose, who would be killed as soon as they got off the train, and who would last a few hours, days, weeks longer. According to a testimony in his personal biography Jack Kagan (http://bit.ly/qUjnWv) stated that the selection process had no reason for who went to work and who went into the dark, ominous building. The Nazis asked the prisoners a series of questions; what their profession was, how many children they had, and then were evaluated by how they appeared. Two people could be of similar backgrounds, age, and family relations, however one would go to the left, to work, the other to the right through the doors to a slow death. In an interview of Holocaust survivors (http://bit.ly/sqwa3B), Fritzie Weiss Fritzshall, stated that “If one didn't look right for whatever reason to the particular person that was doing the selection. One never knew if they were in the good line or the bad line.” It did not matter the true age of a person imprisoned. In the harsh conditions of the camps, an eighteen year old young woman could appear to be in her late forties. Fritzshall recalled that often times when the women’s hair would begin to grow back, they would take the coal from a burnt fire and rub it on their heads, to appear even a little younger. Every day it was a struggle to see who was randomly dragged from what was left of their family into the gas chamber, and who would live for one more terrifying day.
Extermination Methods
Holding on to the hand of your young child, both your and her ribcages stick out, whisper a prayer to Jehovah to keep safe and hold your child in His arms. You look into the eyes of the men who hold the weapon that will take all light from your eyes. The order is given; pop, pop, pop. The bodies fall and there is no more muted sobs from a child.
To the left, to the left, to the left, to the right. No reason as to why one person is sentenced to be shot, another to work, another to be gassed. A woman has her head shaved, stripped of all clothing and what has remained of her dignity. A few hundred are shoved into a tight cramped room; light peeks through in the slats. Young children cry for their mothers, some women sob, while others have nothing left inside them. A loud noise is echoed through the room and a yell from a German accent is heard. Instantly the overpowering smell of gaseous fumes from trucks is released into the room. Trying to breathe, with no avail, steadily the bodies drop to the floor.
Each extermination method was heartless and cruel, as time progressed however; they became more technical and advanced. Mass shootings, gas chambers, and gas trucks. The Nazis quickly discovered that the mass shootings were inefficient and wasted ammunition. Mass graves were dug throughout Germany and Poland to dispose of the bodies, but the Nazis quickly realized they needed a way to get rid of all of their evidence for their evil crimes. As a person is gassed in the chambers, or in a gas truck, they are then hauled into the mass graves. The difference between these graves and others is that here the bodies were burned until there was nothing left. The death camps themselves were the places of pure extermination. Whereas there were also labor camps that contained extermination and sick experimentation on the people, and holding camps as if they were in limbo between Heaven and Hell.
Liberation
For those who had managed to not be gassed, shot, or starved, they were forced through death marches; the name states its purpose plainly. The Nazis gathered up the remaining people captive in the camps and forced those to march back to Germany, across Poland in an effort to continue to hide the evidence from the approaching allied forces. As the forces moved across Europe, they began to find bodies throughout the land, some clinging on to their last breath. In addition, Soviet forces were the first to approach a Nazi camp, in the summer of 1944. These young men had already witnessed the brutality of war and the images that are burned into their brains; however, when viewing the camps, they were shown a whole new side of brutality. The Germans were aware that allied forces were on the move to save those imprisoned, but were taken off guard at the how swiftly they moved. Again, reverting back to their cowardly state, the Nazis attempted to hide the evidence. The Nazis demolished camps by setting fire to the crematorium, pulling down fences and destroying the shanties. However, the gas chambers still stood, as we have photographic evidence. Belzec, Sobibor, and Treblinka were fairly well dismantled by 1943; however the allied forces still were able to find what was left. Including shoes, ashes of those burnt and the absolute feeling of pure evil. Auschwitz, the largest concentration and extermination camp was freed in January 1945, by the Soviets. However, there were very few prisoners left there since the death marches. Only several thousand prisoners were remaining, barely alive or dying. Furthermore ,in the remaining buildings that had not been completely destroyed, the Soviets found suits, women’s outfits, small children’s shoes, and possibly even more disturbing 14,000 pounds of human hair. As time went on, so did the liberations. The Soviets continued to push through Poland, liberating Stutthof, Ravensbrueck, and Sachsenhausen concentration camps. The good olde boys in blue from the U.S. liberating Buchenwald which is located near Weimar, Germany, on April 11, 1945, a mere few days after the Nazis began to cleanse the camp. A group of resistance prisoners living underground in Buchenwald seized control of the remaining Nazi guards to prevent further crimes against the people. At Buchenwald alone, 20,000 prisoners were liberated. Along with Buchenwald, American forces also freed those at Dora-Mittelbau, Flossenburg, Dachau, and Mauthusen. Neuengamme, Bergen-Belsen, and others in Northern Germany were liberated by the British forces around April of 1945. A spread of Typhus was found in most camps but particularly in Bergen-Belsen. Around 60,000 prisoners were in critical condition, yet alive, more than 10,000 people died from starvation or disease just a few weeks shy of liberation.(USHMM) It breaks one’s heart to hear that many could have been saved if the forces were only a few weeks earlier.
The Soldiers that took place in the Liberations encountered sickening and horrifying things. Those who had survived the camps appeared to be nothing more than skeletons one would find in a teaching hospital. Piles of bodies, shoes meant for three year old children, men and women with hallowed eyes, for their souls had been so brutally torn apart.
Those who were young enough to tell their stories in later years still live with fear on a daily basis. The amount of those who suffer with Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder was in the millions, some entering counseling, others mental institutions.
Going through the list of forces that joined together to liberate those held in captivity causes one to feel a sense of pride in each of those nations. However, to take a cynical note, why were these actions not taken sooner, is it not our personal duty to help others of the human race to be freed?
After Liberation
How could the people return to a home which had been destroyed, when the thoughts of anti-Semitism still ran rampant? According to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (Aftermath of the Holocaust), directly after the Holocaust, numerous pogroms took place in Poland, many resulting in death by beating. According to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, tens of thousands of homeless survivors headed west towards liberated lands held by western allies. The now freed captives went from a series of death camps to camps for displaced persons. The United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration stepped in to aid the administration of the camps in the allied areas. However, with most administrations, the attention to each individual was lacking. Varying agencies and volunteers worked to aid the Jewish people to homes and somehow starting over. The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee provided shelters which included food and clothing. At this point many of the Jews were feeling the yearning to return home, to Israel, however it would come at yet another cost. Since immigration transportation and paperwork took time and funds that were limited, the journey to Palestine were a difficult one. The British put many restrictions on entering Palestine; many of European borders closed their supposed open doors to these lost people. In 1944, the Jewish Brigade Group, which was a unit of the British army, was formed, joining with former partisan fighters. The group created an organization titled Brihah, which is Hebrew for “flight” or “escape”, fitting. This group aided Jewish people somehow find passageway into Palestine, however the British authorities stopped many of the ships. The Exodus of 1947 forced 4,500 Holocaust survivors to return to Germany, many of these were placed in detention camps, some managed to make it to Palestine, and others died while in the detention camps.
Finally, a glimmer of light shown upon the faces of those who had known only darkness. The State of Israel was established in May, 1948. 170,000 and more displaced persons migrated into Israel, what would be a hope for safety and peace. In the winter of 1945, President Harry Truman mandated that a directive be issued so that the quota of immigration would be loosened. Many other Jewish refugees in Europe immigrated as displaced persons to varying parts of the world; Mexico, South Africa, and Canada.
The acts of the Holocaust cannot ever be undone, nor taken back. However, those who have been haunted by the terror may hope to one day find peace.
Works Cited
1942, September. "Life in the Ghettos." United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Web. 15 Nov. 2011.
"70 Years Ago: "Kristallnacht" in Germany." Ask an Expert at Able2know - Ask Questions, Share Answers. Horizontal Vertical. Web. 09 Nov. 2011.
"Antisemitism: The Longest Hatred." United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Web. 15 Nov. 2011.
"Documentation of Selektion." Research Facility. Web. 15 Nov. 2011.
"Education on Holocaust." The Danish Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies. Web. 15 Nov. 2011.
"Gas Chambers." Central Page. Holocaust Research. Web. 15 Nov. 2011.
"A Holocaust Photo Essay." Welcome to English « Department of English, College of LAS, University of Illinois. Modern English Sponsor. Web. 15 Nov. 2011.
"Killing People Through Gas In Extermination and Concentration Camps." Jewish Virtual Library - Homepage. Web. 15 Nov. 2011.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
My Script
Emily Eyberg
Mr.Neuburger
ENG-102-204
5 December 2011
My Strength
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7PndreWG00
I was born on December 2, 1991 to Carl and Janet Eyberg. I am the second child to Janet and Carl, and the fifth child to Carl. When my parents first started seeing each other my mother had been warned about my father by fellow school teachers, friends and her father. My grandpa Smith had actually expelled a few of ‘those Eyberg boys’ from his school, so needless to say, he was concerned about his daughter seeing one of them. My mother made it clear that she disliked dating, so on their first ‘date’ my father had written a sign that read ‘not a date’ and was sure to keep it on the dashboard during the entire evening. After some time of getting to know one another, they became engaged and shortly after married. My father’s three sons, from his first marriage were present and in the ceremony.
My mother graduated from SMS with an elementary education degree, with an emphasis in special education. From teaching roots of her father and mother, and the small town of Rolla Missouri, the similarities of my mother and I are striking. My mother is also the youngest child and the only girl of four children. While my father graduated from MS&T with a degree in psychology and mathematics. My father is one of seven children, all but one are boys. As my grandmother stated one evening “That’s probably me, if there is a pregnant woman, that’s me.”
My mother lived in Rolla until she went on to SMS, she also spent a semester at MS&T. Growing up with all boys and in the country, and my mother developed the kindest heart I have ever known. My grandfather Eyberg passed away at a young age, to which all his children and grandchildren were deeply saddened. Having trusts to maintain, files to be kept, and records to be documented, my father stepped up to keep the family sane. Along with his brother, my Uncle Jim, they managed to keep things flowing smoothly.
My father owned Eyberg Construction, where he was the general contractor. My mother’s sister in law, Lillian Smith would later work for my father. Drawing up blueprints for houses, office buildings and theaters, my father quickly created a name for himself. The movie theater in Rolla, along with the Police station, assorted house and offices, and the house I grew up, were all built by my father.
My mother’s brother John and wife Lillian still reside in Rolla, as their daughter Jennifer with her family. Jennifer is also an elementary teacher; I suppose you could say teaching runs in the family. Shad, another brother of my mother, and his wife, Sandy live in Kansas City. While my Uncle Bob travels and frequently visits his daughter Marsha, who lives in Tennessee. Both of my grandparents from my mother’s side passed away from cancer in the winter. I was about two when my Grandpa Smith passed away, and about eight or nine when my Grandma Smith passed away. Every so often when my mother reflects on her parents, her eyes well up with tears, a mixture of fond, loving memories, and sadness that they are no longer there. I have very clear memories of spending time with my Grandma; going to the Dollar Store, garage sale shopping, baking cookies, waking up early at her house to watch cartoons with my brother Andrew.
My father is one of the eldest children. Mary Louise, the only girl was born on October 9th, 1963, and passed away far too young in 2010. Walbridge Jr. was born in 1951 and died in 2005. Walbridge lived in a Hospice the last few months of his life, close to my family when we lived briefly in TN. I was able to get to know my Uncle during that time; I only wish I had been able to see him more, in his better days. James Bowles or Jim as he was known was born in 1954, and passed away in 2009. His death was a shock to all of us, and heart wrenching at each moment. Jim also ran his own construction company and was well known and loved throughout Rolla. At Jim’s funeral the church was overflowing, as were the tears. Jim’s widow, Sheila still lives in Rolla close to her older son Jay and his family. Jay, his wife Lori and their kids live in Rolla close to Grandmother Eyberg Bruce, was born in, at times no one knew where Bruce was or what he was doing throughout his life. Creating an array of questions from his siblings, however at times the memories were fuzzy. Nils, a chemist who lives in St. Louis with his two children, Maggie and Joseph, and wife Shelly, was older to get married, and is finding having children can be extremely trying. Nils is known for always telling dates that he was an orphan, so he wouldn’t have to bring them home to meet the folks.
When my Grandmother Eyberg thinks about her children that have passed away, or her husband whom she loved dearly, she smiles tightly trying her best to not cry, even though it is clear it hurts her deeply to not see them around.
My eldest brother, Nathan lives in Northern Missouri dabbling in different positions. Leif lives here in Springfield with his three children, Eris who is five, Enoc who is three, and Leila who is one, along with his wife Lacey. Leif is currently attending OTC and plans to go on to MS&T next year. Ian recently moved to California to continue his entrepreneurships, and offers from numerous companies. Andrew, lives in Rolla with our Grandmother Betty, while attending MS&T, he is going for a degree in psychology and plans to go on to a doctorate.
The more time I spend with my family, the more I know them. These are only some of my family, if you were to look even further around the states you would find more of us scattered throughout. We don’t see each other nearly as often as any of us would like, especially since many are aging. I’ve seen the tears in the eyes of aunts, uncles, cousins and parents. From saying goodbye to those whom we love all too early.
Throughout trials and tribulations, we have found an even stronger sense of love and unity. If the pain and heartache that members of my family have felt could be wished away, I would have wished them away long ago. However, the fact is our family is stronger because of everything that we’ve seen.
I would not be the person I am without my family. A stranger would be welcomed in to every home of a family member with an open heart. I only hope that when I have my own home I am just as welcoming and loving.
Mr.Neuburger
ENG-102-204
5 December 2011
My Strength
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7PndreWG00
I was born on December 2, 1991 to Carl and Janet Eyberg. I am the second child to Janet and Carl, and the fifth child to Carl. When my parents first started seeing each other my mother had been warned about my father by fellow school teachers, friends and her father. My grandpa Smith had actually expelled a few of ‘those Eyberg boys’ from his school, so needless to say, he was concerned about his daughter seeing one of them. My mother made it clear that she disliked dating, so on their first ‘date’ my father had written a sign that read ‘not a date’ and was sure to keep it on the dashboard during the entire evening. After some time of getting to know one another, they became engaged and shortly after married. My father’s three sons, from his first marriage were present and in the ceremony.
My mother graduated from SMS with an elementary education degree, with an emphasis in special education. From teaching roots of her father and mother, and the small town of Rolla Missouri, the similarities of my mother and I are striking. My mother is also the youngest child and the only girl of four children. While my father graduated from MS&T with a degree in psychology and mathematics. My father is one of seven children, all but one are boys. As my grandmother stated one evening “That’s probably me, if there is a pregnant woman, that’s me.”
My mother lived in Rolla until she went on to SMS, she also spent a semester at MS&T. Growing up with all boys and in the country, and my mother developed the kindest heart I have ever known. My grandfather Eyberg passed away at a young age, to which all his children and grandchildren were deeply saddened. Having trusts to maintain, files to be kept, and records to be documented, my father stepped up to keep the family sane. Along with his brother, my Uncle Jim, they managed to keep things flowing smoothly.
My father owned Eyberg Construction, where he was the general contractor. My mother’s sister in law, Lillian Smith would later work for my father. Drawing up blueprints for houses, office buildings and theaters, my father quickly created a name for himself. The movie theater in Rolla, along with the Police station, assorted house and offices, and the house I grew up, were all built by my father.
My mother’s brother John and wife Lillian still reside in Rolla, as their daughter Jennifer with her family. Jennifer is also an elementary teacher; I suppose you could say teaching runs in the family. Shad, another brother of my mother, and his wife, Sandy live in Kansas City. While my Uncle Bob travels and frequently visits his daughter Marsha, who lives in Tennessee. Both of my grandparents from my mother’s side passed away from cancer in the winter. I was about two when my Grandpa Smith passed away, and about eight or nine when my Grandma Smith passed away. Every so often when my mother reflects on her parents, her eyes well up with tears, a mixture of fond, loving memories, and sadness that they are no longer there. I have very clear memories of spending time with my Grandma; going to the Dollar Store, garage sale shopping, baking cookies, waking up early at her house to watch cartoons with my brother Andrew.
My father is one of the eldest children. Mary Louise, the only girl was born on October 9th, 1963, and passed away far too young in 2010. Walbridge Jr. was born in 1951 and died in 2005. Walbridge lived in a Hospice the last few months of his life, close to my family when we lived briefly in TN. I was able to get to know my Uncle during that time; I only wish I had been able to see him more, in his better days. James Bowles or Jim as he was known was born in 1954, and passed away in 2009. His death was a shock to all of us, and heart wrenching at each moment. Jim also ran his own construction company and was well known and loved throughout Rolla. At Jim’s funeral the church was overflowing, as were the tears. Jim’s widow, Sheila still lives in Rolla close to her older son Jay and his family. Jay, his wife Lori and their kids live in Rolla close to Grandmother Eyberg Bruce, was born in, at times no one knew where Bruce was or what he was doing throughout his life. Creating an array of questions from his siblings, however at times the memories were fuzzy. Nils, a chemist who lives in St. Louis with his two children, Maggie and Joseph, and wife Shelly, was older to get married, and is finding having children can be extremely trying. Nils is known for always telling dates that he was an orphan, so he wouldn’t have to bring them home to meet the folks.
When my Grandmother Eyberg thinks about her children that have passed away, or her husband whom she loved dearly, she smiles tightly trying her best to not cry, even though it is clear it hurts her deeply to not see them around.
My eldest brother, Nathan lives in Northern Missouri dabbling in different positions. Leif lives here in Springfield with his three children, Eris who is five, Enoc who is three, and Leila who is one, along with his wife Lacey. Leif is currently attending OTC and plans to go on to MS&T next year. Ian recently moved to California to continue his entrepreneurships, and offers from numerous companies. Andrew, lives in Rolla with our Grandmother Betty, while attending MS&T, he is going for a degree in psychology and plans to go on to a doctorate.
The more time I spend with my family, the more I know them. These are only some of my family, if you were to look even further around the states you would find more of us scattered throughout. We don’t see each other nearly as often as any of us would like, especially since many are aging. I’ve seen the tears in the eyes of aunts, uncles, cousins and parents. From saying goodbye to those whom we love all too early.
Throughout trials and tribulations, we have found an even stronger sense of love and unity. If the pain and heartache that members of my family have felt could be wished away, I would have wished them away long ago. However, the fact is our family is stronger because of everything that we’ve seen.
I would not be the person I am without my family. A stranger would be welcomed in to every home of a family member with an open heart. I only hope that when I have my own home I am just as welcoming and loving.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Avoiding Plagiarism
In any writing situation, plagiarism should be avoided. Whether it be a academic setting or a journalist setting, one should place value on one's own work.
1.Plagiarism is unethical. Consider plagiarism like shoplifting. Maybe you're being extremely sly about it, almost to the exit, when a professor catches you in the act.Stealing someone else work is insulting to the author and to yourself.Its best to just not do it.
2.Plagiarism means a lost learning opportunity. Why would a professor assign a writing project with the intent for a student not to learn. Isn't the idea of going to school to get an education, to better oneself? To plagiarize is to waste a valuable educational experience.Take the time to write a 200 word essay, if not for your professor, or your grade,but simply for youself.
3. Plagiarism diminishes your credibility. Once you have been branded for plagiarizing,especially if it is a mark on your transcript, every college or university, sometimes even businesses will see that you have been accused and punished for plagiarism. It is simply not worth it to use someone else work.All of us are stressed, tired, busy, and on at times on that one last nerve. However, if we plagiarize it really isn't one more thing off our minds,in fact it is one more thing added to our thoughts.
4. Plagiarism may result in serious penalties. Depending on the leniency of your teacher or school, the first time you are caught it may be as simple as a slap on the wrist. However, once caught again, you run the risk of being failed for the assignment and class, also having a permanent black mark on your transcript. Other situations, a professor may fail you when caught the first time and immediately place a black mark on your transcript.
One A.M. on a Tuesday night, just finished working a double shift at a minimum wage position, classes all day, and attempting to finish a paper. You are faced with a choice; either stay up for a few more hours, when you would much rather sleep, or copy and change a few words on a paper a friend wrote last semester. By choosing to stay up and miss those hours of sleep,you're doing yourself a favor. If you were to choose to copy and change a few words, you are risking failing a class and carrying guilt.
Harris, Muriel, and Jennifer Kunka. "Research- Avoiding Plagiarism." Prentice Hall Reference Guide. 8th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2008. 379-80. Print.
1.Plagiarism is unethical. Consider plagiarism like shoplifting. Maybe you're being extremely sly about it, almost to the exit, when a professor catches you in the act.Stealing someone else work is insulting to the author and to yourself.Its best to just not do it.
2.Plagiarism means a lost learning opportunity. Why would a professor assign a writing project with the intent for a student not to learn. Isn't the idea of going to school to get an education, to better oneself? To plagiarize is to waste a valuable educational experience.Take the time to write a 200 word essay, if not for your professor, or your grade,but simply for youself.
3. Plagiarism diminishes your credibility. Once you have been branded for plagiarizing,especially if it is a mark on your transcript, every college or university, sometimes even businesses will see that you have been accused and punished for plagiarism. It is simply not worth it to use someone else work.All of us are stressed, tired, busy, and on at times on that one last nerve. However, if we plagiarize it really isn't one more thing off our minds,in fact it is one more thing added to our thoughts.
4. Plagiarism may result in serious penalties. Depending on the leniency of your teacher or school, the first time you are caught it may be as simple as a slap on the wrist. However, once caught again, you run the risk of being failed for the assignment and class, also having a permanent black mark on your transcript. Other situations, a professor may fail you when caught the first time and immediately place a black mark on your transcript.
One A.M. on a Tuesday night, just finished working a double shift at a minimum wage position, classes all day, and attempting to finish a paper. You are faced with a choice; either stay up for a few more hours, when you would much rather sleep, or copy and change a few words on a paper a friend wrote last semester. By choosing to stay up and miss those hours of sleep,you're doing yourself a favor. If you were to choose to copy and change a few words, you are risking failing a class and carrying guilt.
Harris, Muriel, and Jennifer Kunka. "Research- Avoiding Plagiarism." Prentice Hall Reference Guide. 8th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2008. 379-80. Print.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Dumpster Diving-Essay One
Emily Eyberg
Mr. Neuberg
Eng. Comp 102-104
7 September 2011
Single Paragraph Essay
Contentment through Scavenging
In the short story “On Dumpster Diving” by Lars Eighner, the author introduces readers to the life of a scavenger by describing his living on the streets with his dog, Lizbeth. At first glance one may assume the story is merely about dumpster diving, however, Eighner begs to show the audience being content does not come from petty objects, on impulse buys, foolishly discarded. When a person sees another in shabby clothes, unshaven, and rummaging through a dumpster, most would feel pity or disgust. Eighner feels pity for the others; “Millions who nightly scavenge the cable channels looking for they know not what. I am sorry for them.”(369) Eighner has a process which consists of three principles; listen to common sense in evaluating an area, and always seeking to answer “Why was this discarded?”(359).Eighner does not speak of happiness, but of being content. There are those who feel as if the only way to peace of mind, is to have the things they want. In reality, the items are rarely used or wanted ten years down the road. It is not to have too little or too much, but to feel content with what we have and are given.
Eighner, Lars. “On Dumpster Diving”. Power of language, Language of Power. Custom Ed.Pearson Custom Publishing, 2009. 357-369. Print.
Mr. Neuberg
Eng. Comp 102-104
7 September 2011
Single Paragraph Essay
Contentment through Scavenging
In the short story “On Dumpster Diving” by Lars Eighner, the author introduces readers to the life of a scavenger by describing his living on the streets with his dog, Lizbeth. At first glance one may assume the story is merely about dumpster diving, however, Eighner begs to show the audience being content does not come from petty objects, on impulse buys, foolishly discarded. When a person sees another in shabby clothes, unshaven, and rummaging through a dumpster, most would feel pity or disgust. Eighner feels pity for the others; “Millions who nightly scavenge the cable channels looking for they know not what. I am sorry for them.”(369) Eighner has a process which consists of three principles; listen to common sense in evaluating an area, and always seeking to answer “Why was this discarded?”(359).Eighner does not speak of happiness, but of being content. There are those who feel as if the only way to peace of mind, is to have the things they want. In reality, the items are rarely used or wanted ten years down the road. It is not to have too little or too much, but to feel content with what we have and are given.
Eighner, Lars. “On Dumpster Diving”. Power of language, Language of Power. Custom Ed.Pearson Custom Publishing, 2009. 357-369. Print.
A Case of Assisted Suicide Essay
Emily Eyberg
Mr. Neuberg
Eng Comp 102-104
14 September 2011
Single Paragraph Essay
A Selfish End
Jack Kevorkian is known as “Doctor Death”; a name created through controversy, tells one of his cases in “A Case of Assisted Suicide”. Kevorkian made one’s time of death a choice, allowing a person to commit a selfish act in a time of fear. Kevorkian created a death machine; he writes which would kill the patient without pain. Kevorkian attempts to justify his actions as much as possible. “More dismaying yet was the refusal of people who are known supporters and active campaigners for euthanasia to allow Janet and me the use of their homes.”(437) In this instance, Kevorkian takes a patient, Janet Adkins, whose Alzheimer’s is progressing slowly. Adkins talks to her family and Kevorkian on almost a daily basis, her family strongly against her assisted suicide, but Janet is determined to go through with it. “There was absolutely no doubt that her mentality was intact.”(439) Janet had another year with her family, at least, in a clear mind, yet chose to end her life early is extremely disheartening. If a person is in extreme pain, and death is within a few hours, then it could be better to let the person go. However, in the case of Janet, she had more time to see her loved ones, and her suicide was a selfish act committed by someone who was afraid of their own demise.
Kevorkian, Jack. “A Case of Assisted Suicide”. Power of language, Language of Power. New York: Pearson Learning Solutions, 2009.357-69. Print.
Mr. Neuberg
Eng Comp 102-104
14 September 2011
Single Paragraph Essay
A Selfish End
Jack Kevorkian is known as “Doctor Death”; a name created through controversy, tells one of his cases in “A Case of Assisted Suicide”. Kevorkian made one’s time of death a choice, allowing a person to commit a selfish act in a time of fear. Kevorkian created a death machine; he writes which would kill the patient without pain. Kevorkian attempts to justify his actions as much as possible. “More dismaying yet was the refusal of people who are known supporters and active campaigners for euthanasia to allow Janet and me the use of their homes.”(437) In this instance, Kevorkian takes a patient, Janet Adkins, whose Alzheimer’s is progressing slowly. Adkins talks to her family and Kevorkian on almost a daily basis, her family strongly against her assisted suicide, but Janet is determined to go through with it. “There was absolutely no doubt that her mentality was intact.”(439) Janet had another year with her family, at least, in a clear mind, yet chose to end her life early is extremely disheartening. If a person is in extreme pain, and death is within a few hours, then it could be better to let the person go. However, in the case of Janet, she had more time to see her loved ones, and her suicide was a selfish act committed by someone who was afraid of their own demise.
Kevorkian, Jack. “A Case of Assisted Suicide”. Power of language, Language of Power. New York: Pearson Learning Solutions, 2009.357-69. Print.
Harrison Begeron Essay
Emily Eyberg
Mr. Neuberg
ENG Comp 102-104
26 September 2011
Single Paragraph Essay
Hold on to You
In the futuristic story, “Harrison Begeron”, by Kurt Vonnegut Jr., we are introduced to George and Hazel Bergeron, living in a state of utter equality. Without the will to strive to better ourselves, and think the unthinkable, we are mindless beings. The idea of people living in complete equality seems picture perfect. Vonnegut demonstrates that it is truly not so in 2081 or in present day. “And pretty soon we’d be right back to the dark ages again, with everybody competing against everybody else” (205.) Every time a thought that may surpass another’s thought is begun, a noise is blared into the thinker’s mind, so the thought is instantly silenced. It is an innate thought to push against ourselves and imagine the unimaginable however, in Vonnegut’s year of 2081, it is not so. “Neutralizing gravity with love and pure will, they remained suspended in air inches below the ceiling” (208.) To abandon ourselves, our sense of creativity and imagination is a brutal injustice. After being trained to be numb drones, Hazel and George do not even realize they have just seen their only child murdered before their eyes. Perhaps it is not the competition we should strive so hard to attain, but our sense of self; the pull within our souls to do the impossible.
Vonnegut, Kurt Jr. “Harrison Bergeron”. Power of language, Language of Power. New York: Pearson Learning Solutions, 2009.203-209. Print.
Mr. Neuberg
ENG Comp 102-104
26 September 2011
Single Paragraph Essay
Hold on to You
In the futuristic story, “Harrison Begeron”, by Kurt Vonnegut Jr., we are introduced to George and Hazel Bergeron, living in a state of utter equality. Without the will to strive to better ourselves, and think the unthinkable, we are mindless beings. The idea of people living in complete equality seems picture perfect. Vonnegut demonstrates that it is truly not so in 2081 or in present day. “And pretty soon we’d be right back to the dark ages again, with everybody competing against everybody else” (205.) Every time a thought that may surpass another’s thought is begun, a noise is blared into the thinker’s mind, so the thought is instantly silenced. It is an innate thought to push against ourselves and imagine the unimaginable however, in Vonnegut’s year of 2081, it is not so. “Neutralizing gravity with love and pure will, they remained suspended in air inches below the ceiling” (208.) To abandon ourselves, our sense of creativity and imagination is a brutal injustice. After being trained to be numb drones, Hazel and George do not even realize they have just seen their only child murdered before their eyes. Perhaps it is not the competition we should strive so hard to attain, but our sense of self; the pull within our souls to do the impossible.
Vonnegut, Kurt Jr. “Harrison Bergeron”. Power of language, Language of Power. New York: Pearson Learning Solutions, 2009.203-209. Print.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Holocaust Survivor Testimony-(2)
Emily Eyberg
Mr.Neuberg
ENG Comp 102-104
12 October 2011
Response to Testimonies
Ursula Levy
Ursula begins her story with a smile; the emotions in the interview room appear to be that of neutrality; no anger or hatred. Ursula Levy was born May 11, 1935, in Germany. Her mother was Lucille, father was Max, and her older brother of five years was George. The family owned a textile store that had been in the family for generations, Ursula remembers fondly, but vaguely, that the family made down comforters, quilts, suits and other such items. Ursula’s memories of before the war are far and few between, as she was so young. One memory she holds was when she was about three and a half years old, her father and uncle had just returned from a concentration camp, and were hospitalized. Ursula’s father and uncle had suffered frigid temperatures, and both had injuries to their legs; her uncle died a few days after being hospitalized and her father sometime around March 1939. Both her father and uncle were captured on Kristilnight. After her father and uncle passed, Ursula’s mother knew that she must find a way to get the children out of Germany; to Holland. A strong fear of dogs was instilled in Ursula, she believes from seeing the Germans, and officers with the dogs; a cognitive association.
A strong comfort that she has held with her even now is that of her mother singing; her mother sang constantly. One song in particular caused Ursula to envision Heaven as a ballroom with dancing and love all around. This caused her to not fear death, because of the thought of her mother and being free in a beautiful hall of dancing. Throughout the interview, Ursula maintains her composure, although there are moments, for example in remembering her brother, George, she fights off tears. “The separation was just totally devastating for me, it was worse than any other experience. I felt isolated, abandoned. I cried all the time.” Ursula speaks about the first concentration camp that she and her brother were put in and separated from each other. “There was always someone who looked after us.” Ursula remembers that no one ever stole bread from her or her brother; there was always someone who kept watch over them. This kept her hope and faith alive; she also remembers that she never doubted that she would come out of it alive. Speaking of her memories are difficult years and years after the tragedy, but she does it for her two children.
Mr.Neuberg
ENG Comp 102-104
12 October 2011
Response to Testimonies
Ursula Levy
Ursula begins her story with a smile; the emotions in the interview room appear to be that of neutrality; no anger or hatred. Ursula Levy was born May 11, 1935, in Germany. Her mother was Lucille, father was Max, and her older brother of five years was George. The family owned a textile store that had been in the family for generations, Ursula remembers fondly, but vaguely, that the family made down comforters, quilts, suits and other such items. Ursula’s memories of before the war are far and few between, as she was so young. One memory she holds was when she was about three and a half years old, her father and uncle had just returned from a concentration camp, and were hospitalized. Ursula’s father and uncle had suffered frigid temperatures, and both had injuries to their legs; her uncle died a few days after being hospitalized and her father sometime around March 1939. Both her father and uncle were captured on Kristilnight. After her father and uncle passed, Ursula’s mother knew that she must find a way to get the children out of Germany; to Holland. A strong fear of dogs was instilled in Ursula, she believes from seeing the Germans, and officers with the dogs; a cognitive association.
A strong comfort that she has held with her even now is that of her mother singing; her mother sang constantly. One song in particular caused Ursula to envision Heaven as a ballroom with dancing and love all around. This caused her to not fear death, because of the thought of her mother and being free in a beautiful hall of dancing. Throughout the interview, Ursula maintains her composure, although there are moments, for example in remembering her brother, George, she fights off tears. “The separation was just totally devastating for me, it was worse than any other experience. I felt isolated, abandoned. I cried all the time.” Ursula speaks about the first concentration camp that she and her brother were put in and separated from each other. “There was always someone who looked after us.” Ursula remembers that no one ever stole bread from her or her brother; there was always someone who kept watch over them. This kept her hope and faith alive; she also remembers that she never doubted that she would come out of it alive. Speaking of her memories are difficult years and years after the tragedy, but she does it for her two children.
Holocaust Survivor Testimony-(1)
Emily Eyberg
Mr.Neuberg
ENG Comp 102-104
12 October 2011
Response to Testimony
Edith Coliver
Edith is asked to spell her name by the interviewer, first thing she says is “V as in Victory”, this may simply be the best letter to get across that there was a ‘v’ in her name, however, I like to think it is because she truly believes there has been a victory. Edith was born in Karlsrophe, Germany in July 26, 1926, the eldest of three children, with two brothers. Her family was a middle class German- Jew family, she fondly remembers her grandmother who wore a wig, and was “wonderfully nurturing”. She recollects hearing Germans, around the same age, saying ‘oh, I was young’, her response was “I knew when I was eleven years old; don’t tell me that, you must have known what you were doing.” Edith speaks with such composure and dignity. Reflecting on how she watched those who had been ‘saved’ when the concentration camps were opened, the number of deaths then was almost more than during the camps themselves. During her time, Edith worked trials of war crimes, and crimes against humanity. After attending Berkley and studying political science, she was savvy in the ways of a court system, and how those would try to work the system. When returning to Germany, “I went to Germany not with a sense of revenge but curiosity, what makes people do these awful things.” Edith was able to see that the Nazis were killing on an automatic switch, it had been programmed into their very core, and however this still does not excuse their actions. Edith pondered these things throughout her entire life, but still her heart never filled with revenge; heartache and longing for peace for people, but never revenge.
Mr.Neuberg
ENG Comp 102-104
12 October 2011
Response to Testimony
Edith Coliver
Edith is asked to spell her name by the interviewer, first thing she says is “V as in Victory”, this may simply be the best letter to get across that there was a ‘v’ in her name, however, I like to think it is because she truly believes there has been a victory. Edith was born in Karlsrophe, Germany in July 26, 1926, the eldest of three children, with two brothers. Her family was a middle class German- Jew family, she fondly remembers her grandmother who wore a wig, and was “wonderfully nurturing”. She recollects hearing Germans, around the same age, saying ‘oh, I was young’, her response was “I knew when I was eleven years old; don’t tell me that, you must have known what you were doing.” Edith speaks with such composure and dignity. Reflecting on how she watched those who had been ‘saved’ when the concentration camps were opened, the number of deaths then was almost more than during the camps themselves. During her time, Edith worked trials of war crimes, and crimes against humanity. After attending Berkley and studying political science, she was savvy in the ways of a court system, and how those would try to work the system. When returning to Germany, “I went to Germany not with a sense of revenge but curiosity, what makes people do these awful things.” Edith was able to see that the Nazis were killing on an automatic switch, it had been programmed into their very core, and however this still does not excuse their actions. Edith pondered these things throughout her entire life, but still her heart never filled with revenge; heartache and longing for peace for people, but never revenge.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
A Film Unfinished-Review
“A Film Unfinished”, otherwise known as “Das Ghetto”, is a horrifying example of how history can be falsified by those wish to cover up there sickening crimes, for which they feel no shame. The question must be asked, what would have happened if the film had been completed and released at that time, earlier, or later.
Would we have believed the Nazis lies and accepted their hatred for others? The propagandists’ manipulation of their half-million prisoners was clear, by showing numerous outtakes of the same ‘scene’, posing and re-posing the Jews to fit perfectly into their twisted film. The film crew posed somewhat well-dressed Jewish women by a restaurant and ignoring the children that begged for food; to show the supposed callousness by the ‘wealthy’ Jews. To indicate that the Jews were treated well, living in simply a ‘secluded paradise’, yet they were also callous towards those who had less. Showing that the Nazis were being ‘charitable’, even to such ‘cruel’ people as the Jews. The out and out lies are utterly disgusting. During the film, it cuts back and forth to a movie theater showing a few Jewish people observing. Near the end of “A Film Unfinished”, we see the bodies of small children, the tiny feet. One woman observing the film says “I am human now, now I can cry”, she hides her face repeatedly from the screen, afraid of the heartbreaking horror. Throughout cutting back to the observers, we hear comments such as “When did you ever see a flower? We would have eaten a flower!”
The fact that the Nazis created such ridiculous lies, expecting others to believe their film, indicates again that the Nazis viewed any other human as a lesser being, just varying extents of their levels of disgust towards them. As we watch the Jews in the streets being filmed, their sunken cheeks and darkened eyes, one cannot help but receive chills. The people who had their lives, their dignity and self-respect stolen, still held onto their faith, and hope. As you watch the people in the streets eye the cameramen, it seems that there is no emotion through their eyes, only numbness. The survivors reflect on losing their families, everything being ripped away from them. It is horrifying and hard to watch an entire group of people steadily destroyed, but it is also necessary to do so. If we forget even for a second how we must hold together our fellow humans, we have lost more than we can even imagine.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Intro
My name is Emily Eyberg, I was born in Rolla MO,but have moved to a few states since I was nine.I've lived in PA,TN, and moved back to Missouri almost six years ago. This is my third year in college; I spent my first year at OTC, second at MSU and now I'm back to OTC.My plan is to get my AA in the Spring and then transfer to Drury in Rolla in the fall of 2012. I am going for a degree in Elementary education, and hopfully will be certified to teach by the fall of 2013. I've worked a few different jobs,but being a part time nanny was probably the most fulfilling. I got my first job as soon as I was able to,and began work as the 'sammich girl' at Subway.I worked for Subway for two years, and it was usually a love-hate relationship. However,now I feel that since I have experience in food service I know how stressful it can be to be on the other side of the counter. Now, I have a couple of families whom I babysit their children.A few of the kids I've been around since they were first born and are now four and five years old.I've never had cable TV(even though I do love Bones and South Park);I was homschooled;I love roller derby;I only drive a stick shift car;I have one tattoo;I prefer the country to the city;I am a Harry Potter fanatic. Also,I'm proud to say I'm helping re-build a hot rod.
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