In all of my years of schooling, there has rarely a class that I take that affects me as a person so much, Facing History in Ourselves is one of those classes. A class that I will remember for the rest of my life. A class whose teachings won’t be forgotten after a year. A class that has made me answers one question instead of thirty. Who am I? Am I a perpetrator, victim, bystander, rescue or resistance? Through learning about the holocaust and retracing the steps that evil men took in order to get to such a mass genocide, I have been able to answer that question. Yet, it was a road where I learned how cruel and heartless prejudice, racism, and segregation are terrible acts and words. But I learned over the course how I can help prevent these acts and in doing so I found who I am. As a person I found my whole life is changed, I will never be a bystander and I must embrace my interests. This is what Facing History in Ourselves means to me.
A truly vital part of Facing History in Ourselves that I learned is to never be a bystander. During the holocaust, every civilian who claimed they had no clue what was going on, was a bystander. Unfortunately, they are at fault for what had happened, not just Nazi soldiers and governments. If one proceeds to be a bystander, which is how prejudice can begin and not stop and lead to something as terrible as a mass genocide like the holocaust. I found that I will never again be the bystander, but I see myself as the rescue. Google definitions define “rescue” as such, “Save (someone) from a dangerous or distressing situation.”(Google search). Through seeing the events on many different occasions that took place during the holocaust, and seeing what happens to myself and my peers on a daily basis, I see myself as the rescue. I am and will be the person who stands up for my friends. In fact it is one of my morals to defend others and put them before myself. I will help my friends in sticky situations and be the one that they can always count on. But, this isn’t the only thing I learned in myself from no longer being a bystander. I also now understand my actions during the times that I was a perpetrator. The one being a bully and putting others down. I understand how hurtful words and actions can be on not just one person but a group, and through Facing History in Ourselves I am trying my best to stop instigating negative situations. I remember a day in class when a student came in late, and when walking to his seat, slipped and fell knocking the phone off the hook and onto the ground. The classes immediate response was laughter and put downs. The student was instantly embraced, and from that point on, I thought much more about how hurt one can become by a few quick hits, especially when ganged up on by a group. Facing History in ourselves changed my entire outlook on life as well.
As we have all heard on numerous occasions, actions speak louder than words. Instead of just talking and complaining about something one doesn’t like, do something about it. Mr. Gallagher told the class a story about a time when he fought in order to get his entire neighborhood, mailboxes for their front lawns, instead of ones that people must go out of their way to get too. He said it wasn’t just a one step process, but in fact it got much bigger than anyone could imagine and it went to federal court, and in the end the entire neighborhood received their mailboxes. Seeing what men and women did during the holocaust along with story ensured me that if I wanted to, I can make a difference. The biggest part of that lesson is that, although I may not think I am doing anything major, it may turn out that it is helping another person more than it is helping me. And that is what compels me to make a difference. By standing up for a friend and saying knock it off that’s rude, I may help a peer, then it may inspire them to do the same and on ward. Facing History in Ourselves means becoming a better person and that is exactly what happened to me.
Facing History in Ourselves has also taught me to embrace my interests. If I love something, I should strive for it. If I believe something, I should fight for it. And no matter what, to always try my best. I wish that it didn’t take me until the middle of my senior year and the end of this course to learn that lesson. If it were up to me, I would completely redo my junior year and try harder instead of slacking off and trying to have more fun. I also wish that I could have put more effort into this course’s blogging in order to not only gain an exemption but also solidify a spot at my number one school. Yet, because of this course, I am putting 110% effort into schoolwork, soccer, basketball and friendships. I have taken a new interest in my math course this year and have maintained an A average throughout senior year. This is the first A I have had in a math course since middle school. Facing History in Ourselves compelled me to improve and strive for success in all of those categories. Just through watching all of the films during the course, once I left the class I felt I had to do something. I didn’t know what, but it had to be done, I felt angry, depressed and confused all at the same time. Working for what I enjoyed was what I decided to do with these emotions. Convert them into work power and better myself. Facing History in Ourselves taught me to embrace my interests and in doing so I have become a better person.
Facing History in Ourselves is one of the most influential, inspirational and heart wrenching courses I have ever taken. And with a phenomenal teacher helping us finds ourselves through history. Facing History in Ourselves benefits me by teaching me to embrace my interests, never be a bystander, and be a better person. A course with lessons that will stick with me not just through college but through life. It’s hard to pick and choose events from the class which were meaningful due to the fact that each and every class was different and inspirational. Yet becoming a better person, a better community and standing up for what I believe is what Facing History in Ourselves means to me.
