Articles

The term “Holocaust Denial” has evolved far beyond its original definition—denying the intentional genocide of six million Jews by the Germans during World War II. Today, it is often weaponized to suppress discussions about Jewish collaboration during the Holocaust, an uncomfortable but historically documented reality. This article assesses how these accusations are used to silence nuanced historical debates and even to label individuals who bring up inconvenient truths, such as Jewish leaders’ roles in Nazi compliance, as Holocaust deniers. Reflecting on figures like Chaim Rumkowski and testimonies from Jewish survivors, this piece explores the broader narrative distortion that shifts blame to others, often scapegoating Poles while erasing complex histories. At its core, this article challenges the dangers of selective history and censorship in the pursuit of a fuller truth.  

"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence." John Adams

In January 1945, the Stalinists summoned leading Jews to Lublin for a meeting in which they were told most Jews had no future in Eastern Europe but would be helped to found a Jewish state in Palestine. The Jews were "encouraged" to leave for Palestine, and practical help was given — travel, accommodation, food, and money. "Encouragement" also meant terror attacks by "unknown assailants." The first attacks started soon afterward. The attacks became extreme in mid-1946, with communal violence in Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary (Kielce, Miszkolc, etc.).   

Poland’s Independence Day (Narodowe Święto Niepodległości) is celebrated on the 11th of November. This day commemorates when Poland regained its sovereignty from the German, Austro-Hungarian, and Russian Empires in 1918.

The Potulice concentration camp was built for Polish children in German-occupied Poland. Approximately 25 thousand Polish children were forced to perform slave work, and minor acts of disobedience resulted in brutal punishment. Many died from exhaustion, maltreatment, hunger, and disease. Conditions in this camp were comparable to other concentration camps.  

Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding, who led Fighter Command, wrote: "Had it not been for the magnificent material contributed by the Polish squadrons and their unsurpassed gallantry, I hesitate to say that the outcome of the Battle would have been the same."  

You may often hear that the world was silent during the Holocaust or that Poland didn’t do enough to save Jews, but is that really true?   Maybe this is something that people say because they’re embarrassed. After all, they didn’t help; think about it? Well, whatever the case, there is simply a lack of recognition for a country that did so much for the Jews.  So let’s talk more about Poles and Jews, and also how Poles did help and save Jews. All of this is documented in Jewish and Polish firsthand accounts.  I will add that this speech will address assumptions, morals, accountability, self-reflection, and justice for all.   

This camp's most exceptional and courageous group arose, considering the horrors these women faced. The "Ravensbrück Rabbits" was a group of Polish women who were former scouts. These women were heroes who rose above the horror and terrors inflicted upon them. 

According to the national theory of the pre-war professor and political activist Wincenty Lutosławski: "A black or a red-skinned man can become a true Pole if he takes over the spiritual heritage of the Polish nation, contained in its literature, art, politics, and customs and if he has an unwavering will to contribute to the development of Poles' national existence." I cover this in the article, how this has been abused and how it has been rewarded in the case of Haitians.  For much of Polish history, those the Poles have tried to help have not returned the favor.  The Haitians have and even to this day revere the Polish. 

Polish history, especially during World War II, is often manipulated and distorted, especially regarding Polish Jewish history. It is exceptionally one-sided, and we often hear only the Jewish side, but is that fair? I don’t think so; historians must think of themselves like judges; they must hear both sides and come to the correct conclusion. I believe most reasonable people consider themselves like this, but often they don’t. Yet it’s easy to grab onto one side of the story or take the side of one group, especially when that’s all you read and see.  The distortion is active when we hear that Poles did not do enough to save Jews; this article and soon-to-be speech will debunk this narrative.