The Survivor

Megan MacRae

I feel that much of my knowledge about Nazi Germany, the Holocaust, the struggles of Jewish people etc. comes from studying these experiences as they occurred during and leading up to World War II. Therefore, I enjoyed this week’s discussion as it centered around what the treatment and experiences of Jewish people were like during the postwar era. 

Specifically, I enjoyed Mary Fulbrook’s take on how the postwar era transformed from a time which scrutinized the testimonies of Holocaust survivors, into a period that saw widespread empathy towards these individuals who survived Nazi Concentration Camps, Jewish Ghettos etc. Apart of me finds it difficult to understand why, after so much destruction, postwar Germany continued to view the voices of Holocaust survivors in a doubtful manner. There was evident loss, death, and devastation during the Holocaust so I would have assumed that during any Nazi trial, the word of the victim would be held with the most importance and respect. However, then I reflect on the position of a victim, who is a part of a minority group, in any justice system and it becomes clear that these individuals are often met with skepticism solely because of their identity. We see this with racialized groups, women, those apart of the 2SLGBTQ+ community etc. 

Therefore, although Germany’s postwar era eventually does transform into one that values the oral testimonies of survivors, it can be understood that there was skepticism surrounding the testimony of Jewish survivors due to the historical and contemporary treatment of victims within the justice system.