This week we have learnt about the Holocaust, The great depression and I am starting on the Asian discrimination.
This is the questions we had to research.
The Holocaust:
What is the holocaust?
The Holocaust was the systematic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its allies and collaborators. The Nazis came to power in Germany in January 1933. They believed that the Germans belonged to a race that was "superior" to all others. They claimed that the Jews belonged to a race that was "inferior" and a threat to the so-called German racial community. Gay people / people with disabillities, other ethnicities were also murdered.
2. What is prejudice and anti-semitism?
The word prejudice means to pre judge to make up your mind about someone before you know anything about them?
Anti-semistism is the term used when people are prejudiced against jewish. Anti semitism is a…
3. What is the great depression?
A time in 1929-1939 where all over the world people struggled to get their jobs. Germany was the hardest hit european country. Hitler and nazi party blamed this on the treaty of versailles (which helped him lead the holocaust)
4. What is propaganda?
Information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a political cause of point view. Hitler ensured that all media sources portrayed the jewish (and other groups) as evil and deserving death.
It would not be easy for propaganda to influence our country because there is so much social media around and it would be seen by so many people.
The great depression:
Why was Germany hit the hardest during the Great Depression?
In 1929 as the wall street crash led to a worldwide depression. Germany suffered the most more than other nations as a result of the recall of all US loans, which caused its economy to collapse. Unemployment went through the roof and poverty soared and german’s become desperate.
Explain what Germany had to agree to by signing the Treaty of Versailles?
The treaty of Versailles gave Germany new boundaries. Germany had to accept responsibility for causing all the damage of the war that was “imposed upon by the aggression of germany” And to pay an unspecified amount of money in reparations.
How was Aotearoa affected by The Great Depression?
For Aotearoa, all the countries outside russia, that great depression of the early 1930s was the most shattering economic experience ever recorded. Exports dropped by 45% within 2 years, the national income by 40% in three.
Asian discrimination:
Perpetual Foreigner Syndrome is the notion that no matter how long we've spent in the US, in Canada, in the UK, or Australia or wherever... that we'll only ever be seen as foreigners from another land. That's why the Chinese Exclusion act was passed in 1882. That's why hundreds of thousands of American and Canadian citizens of Japanese heritage were interned during WWII. That's why most Asian representation in Hollywood up until about 5 years ago has been pretty uninspired and stereotypical. And that's why Asians are being attacked on the streets completely unprovoked now.
Many of us in the entertainment industry will harp on about the importance of representation in media; whether it's Crazy Rich Asians, Fresh off the Boat or Bling Empire, the appearance of Asian characters onscreen in a non-stereotypical capacity normalizes our existence and our culture. We're making definite progress, but this wave of violence has shown me that simply being represented in media isn't enough. We all have to be politically activated, and we all have to be ready to take up space in the world. Sorry, Mom and Dad... we can't put our heads down any longer.
If you feel so inclined and you have the means, you might want to donate to the cause but not know where to put your money. Some organizations that are run by very good friends of mine are RUN AAPI, #HATEISAVIRUS and #StopAAPIHate. The former encourages political activism among AAPI communities and the latter two are charities that will redistribute donations to various activism groups across the US and Canada so that your dollar has the maximum impact. Those are the ones I can personally vouch for. If you guys know of more, feel free to shout them out.
That being said I firmly believe you don't need money or a soapbox to make a difference. Taking the time to ask questions about your identity and educating yourself on our shared history will make you a more actualized human. It will inform the conversations that you have, the content you consume, and the company you keep. All of that makes a difference.
