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Our Community and the Holocaust: How did Our Community Respond?

 

Before the United States entered the war, articles in The George-Anne and The Bulloch Times questioned the reality and factuality of human rights violations in Europe. Some of the community even questioned whether or not Hitler had actually improved conditions in Nazi-ruled areas. However, by 1945, opinions of articles shifted towards hatred, and even disgust towards Hitler. What were previously viewed as speculations soon became realities to the Statesboro community shortly after the US entered the war in December 1941. Most articles shifted to a more serious tone when discussing Hitler, Nazism, and the war. Some articles reported on the Statesboro community’s safeguarding measures in the case of bombings or air raids. Atrocities of the Holocaust were discussed publicly in Statesboro theater productions, and articles openly mentioned concentration, labor, and prison camps in Europe. In discussing Nazi human rights violations, some articles mentioned United States citizens’ privilege to encourage US patriotism.

The Bulloch Times, May 10, 1945, Victory... and a Peace that will endure. Once more the Bell of Liberty rings out the sweet song of victory... "Now the Nazis... next the Japs." At this solemn hour, let us all give thanks to God and to those brave men and women whose heroic efforts make this day one of the most important in the history of civilization.****Corresponding Information about the Minkovitz family*****

Subjects: History