Anja's Diary

 Anja's Diary: A collection of a few diary entries I thought would be interesting to see from Anja's point of view.
1935
Today my classmate introduced me to a very charming man. He said he was his cousin named Vladek. It was so very embarrassing when I learned that he too could speak English! I think I like him very much but I have also heard rumors about some girl named Lucia...hopefully there is nothing to the rumors. After all, you can never trust what you hear on gossip

1936
The other day Vladek learned of my involvement in Communist messages. He even threatened to call off our marriage. I was just trying to help out and be useful for once, and then everybody ends up getting hurt. Miss Stefanska ended up being thrown in jail because I stupidly trusted her with the documents. I just hope that she will be able to get out. I am just so mad right now, I was just trying to help out a friend! Hopefully Vladek will forgive me, and all will be forgotten.

 1937
 My beautiful little son Richieu was born a week ago. It was wonderful and I am so happy that Vladek and I have had our first child together. Hopefully many more follow along the way. Unfortunately Vladek has not been home in a while, due to his new factory in Bielsko. He has even started living there! I know he is supporting us but it is beginning to get very lonely with just me and Richieu around.

1950
Little Art just turned 2 today. He is growing up so fast, I almost wish it could stop. It is hard to see him this age, he just reminds me so much of his older brother. If Richieu was here today he would be 13. Oh it was absolutely devastating when Vladek and I learned of Tosha's suicide. I cried for weeks and weeks. We never even got the chance to properly mourn at the time, since we were on the run. I still cry if I even begin to think about it.

1956
Today Artie asked who was in the picture over our bed. I started sobbing out of grief. He didn't know what was going on and got scared and ran to Vladek. I just hope that I can start being a better mother to Artie soon. I miss Richieu so much but I just have to remember that he is watching over us.

Holocaust Blog #2

Night, pages 93-95

Music-Violinist playing for children in Westerbork

The photo of a violinist in the transit camp of Westerbork reminded me of the scene in Night where Juliek plays his violin on last time to an audience of dead men. Juliek was a violinist that Eli met at the Buna camp, and saw him again and for the last time upon his arrival at Gleiwitz. I haven’t been able to forget this passage in Night, because it is so hauntingly sad, yet it also shows a little bit of hope and rebellion in it. People were laying dying and dead in the snow when Juliek manages to find his way out from under the bodies to play his violin. Eli falls asleep while he is playing and wakes up to see Juliek’s body with his trampled violin next to him. Many camps had prisoner orchestras such as the one Eli met in Buna, and photos in the music section of our presentations showed this as well. This man in the photograph was probably playing so the children could be happy for a few minutes, and forget their troubles. Juliek was doing this too when he played for the last time. He was also playing for himself though, playing a forbidden Beethoven piece since he knew he was going to die anyways.  “The darkness enveloped us. All I could hear was the violin, and it was as if Juliek’s soul had become his bow. He was playing his life. His whole being glided over the strings. His unfulfilled hopes. His charred past, his extinguished future. He played that which he would never play again.” (Wiesel, 95) Music can give hope to people, and make them forget their troubles. Even though the SS officers allowed the prisoners to have orchestras and bands, it still feels like a little rebellion. Some common themes between Juliek's last song and the man playing the violin is the hope that they install in others, and the beauty that their music was. 

Holocaust Blog #1

Essential Question: How can something like the Holocaust happen?

Many people wonder how an event as horrific as the Holocaust could happen in a modernized country in Europe during the 20th century. These people overestimate the will of the bystanders. The Holocaust mainly happened because of immense propaganda, bystanders, and the brainwashing of an entire generation.

Artifact #1: (Propaganda) - The Poisonous Mushroom

Propaganda played a large part in creating the Holocaust. Hitler was able to transform the minds of regular people and children with propaganda posters and books from him that made it seem like the Jews were vermin. The book The Poisonous Mushroom by Julius Streicher's Der Stürmer-Verlag was written for children and families, instilling an abundance of stereotypes into its pages. The book warns against the Jewish people and compares them to vermin which need to be eliminated. This book was marketed towards children to start them off right away. The children may read this book, and later when they join Hitler Youth, which was required by German law, they would accept the genocide.

Artifact #2: (Poetry) - First They Came

This poem by Martin Niemoller highlights many reasons why the Holocaust happened. Many people just thought that it did not affect them. Niemoller was a German priest who was bystander at the beginning of the Holocaust, until he started speaking up against it and was thrown in a concentration camp himself. “First they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out-because I was not a Jew” Many bystanders felt this way. They would do nothing because they did not want to risk their own lives or their families lives to help. “And then they came for me-And there was no one left to speak out for me”

Artifact #3: (Hitler Youth) - Knife

Hitler Youth was the brainwashing of an entire generation of German children. During the time Hitler was in power, they had to join Hitler Youth camps starting at the age of 10 where anti-semintist ideas would be grounded into their heads. The children would also learn how to be soldiers and nurses so they could help out Germany in the war. These kids were brainwashed through school, propaganda, Hitler Youth, and probably parents that Jewish people were “vermin.” The knife itself makes it seem such as something a boy scout or a girl scout would have, and makes the whole concept seem innocent.

Spanish Journalists Freed From Syria

Two Spanish journalists, who had been taken captive in Syria, have just been released to the relief of their family member. El Mundo correspondent Javier Espinosa and freelance photographer Ricardo Garcia Vilanova were captured by al-Qaeda linked militants on their way out of Syria. Many reporters, both foreign and native to Syria have gone missing. A group called Reporters Without Borders have called Syria the most dangerous country to visit. Free Syrian Army's political wing, the Syrian National Coalition, have said that they are committed to protecting the journalists and freeing the hostages.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-26812951

"Syria Crisis: Freed Spanish Journalists Back in Spain." BBC News. N.p., 30 Mar. 2014. Web. 30 Mar. 2014. <http://www.bbc.com/news/ world-asia-26812951>

Over 20 Dead in an Attempted Prison Break in Nigeria

21 people were killed in an attempted prison escape in Nigeria. The prisoners were being kept at the headquarters of the Nigerian secret police in the capitol, Abuja. It is unclear if all that were killed were prisoners. The many of the detainees were suspected members of Boko Harem, an Islamic group that has waged a violent campaign in Nigeria since 2009. Thousands have been killed in a result of this. The group wants northern Nigeria to become a radical Islamic state. The president has stated that the event has been labeled as an attempted jail break, and all was under control.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-26814376

"Nigeria 'Attempted Jailbreak' Leaves More Than 20 Dead." www.bbc.com. BBC News, 
     30 Mar. 2014. Web. 30 Mar. 2014. <http://www.bbc.com/news/ 
     world-asia-26814376>

U.S. Space Plane Beats The Longest Orbit Record

U.S Air Force's secretive X-37B space plane beat the orbit record on Wednesday. The aircraft had circled the earth 470 days on Wednesday, beating the past record for longest orbit which was 469 days. This aircraft was the airforce's first unmanned aircraft to renter orbit. The mini space shuttle was launched on December 11, 2012. It has been circling the earth on a mystery mission from the American military. The robotic plane may use NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida as a possible landing sight sometime in the future.

http://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/air-forces-secretive-x-37b-space-plane-shatters-orbit-record-n66231

David, Leonardo. "Air Force's Secretive X-37B Space Plane Shatters Orbit 
     Record." www.nbcnews.com. NBC News, 28 Mar. 2014. Web. 30 Mar. 2014.      <http://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/      air-forces-secretive-x-37b-space-plane-shatters-orbit-record-n66231>.

A New Ebola Outbreak Threatens Guinea's Capitol

A new outbreak of the Ebola virus has recently affected Guinea. So far 59 out of the 80 people that have been infected have died. There is no known cure or vaccination for the disease. Over the past few days the illness has spread between the communities of Macenta, Gueckedou, and Kissidougou, until it ended up in the capitol Conarky. The capitol houses about 2 million people. At the moment, isolation is key. The virus is spread by close personal contact with people who are infected so the doctors are trying to find and monitor anybody the patients have been in contact with over the past few days. Ebola typically occurs in remote villages in Central and West Africa, there has never been a recorded outbreak in Guinea before.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-26701733

"Deadly Ebola Virus Reaches Guinea Capital." BBC News. (March 23, 2014): n. page. Web. 23 Mar. 2014. <http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-26701733>.

Taiwan Students Protest New Trade Deal With China

Hundreds of students protested Taiwan forming a trade deal with China at government headquarters which lead to many arrests on Sunday. Over 30 people were arrested and many injured, as police let water cannons out to control the raging crowd. The students have also broken into the legislature as a sign of protest and have barricaded themselves in with furniture. They wanted more scrutiny with any further arrangements with China, including trade deals. Thousands of people rallied to support the students on Friday, and the opposing Democratic Progressive Party supports them as well. The students believe that a trade deal with China will further worsen their economy.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-26705779

"Clashes as Taiwan Students Storm Government HQ." BBC News. (2014): n. page. Web. 23 Mar. 2014. <http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-26705779>.

Turkey Downs A Syrian Warplane

Turkish fighter jets shot down a Syrian warplane on Sunday. Two planes had entered Turkey heading in the direction of the Turkish airspace. One of the planes had turned around about 10 nautical miles from the Turkish airspace after receiving warnings from the Turkish Air Force. The other plane was shot down with a missile from an F-19 plane that was on patrol. The plane that was shot down received 4 warnings over the course of the flight. The pilot was able to eject before the plane crashed, according to Syrian officials. Turkey and Syria have been at odds since 2011, when conflict first started to occur in Syria. Both countries have shot down other aircrafts from each other in the past few years.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/24/world/europe/syria.html?action=click&contentCollection=Europe&region=Footer&module=MoreInSection&pgtype=article

Arsu, Sebnem. "Turkey Downs Warplane From Syria After Warning." New York Times. (March 23, 2014): n. page. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.

U.S. Special Forces Seize a Tanker from Rebels in Libya

U.S. special forces seizes a tanker from a group of anti-government rebels in a Libyan port with a cargo full of oil. This order was approved by President Obama. No shots were fired and the tanker was taken in under 2 hours. The weak government makes the oil sector an easy and frequent target of rebel forces who use this control to make demands of the state. The seizure of the tanker will likely prevent any more attempts at illegal oil sales for a short time.

http://news.yahoo.com/u-navy-seals-board-tanker-hijacked-libya-pentagon-082427948--finance.html

Laessing, Ulf, and Feras Bosalum. "U.S. forces seize tanker carrying oil from Libya rebel port." Yahoo News. (2014): n. page. Web. 16 Mar. 2014. <http://news.yahoo.com/u-navy-seals-board-tanker-hijacked-libya-pentagon-082427948--finance.html>.

Crimea Referendum

On Sunday night the people of the Crimean peninsula voted as to whether or not they wanted to secede from Ukraine and join Russia. An act highly denounced by Ukraine, the United States and Europe. A whopping 95% of the population voted to secede and join Russia on Sunday. “Opponents of secession appeared to largely stay away Sunday, denouncing the vote as a cynical power play/land grab by Russia”. Russian troops are already to be in the peninsula after the vote. Russia is expected to have huge sanctions put in place on Monday from the United States and Europe for going through with the vote. On Monday the Crimean government will formally meet with Russian leaders to be annexed. The United States isn't considering the vote to be legal because they believe that the referendum was held under threats of violence and intimidation.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/03/16/polls-open-in-crimea-referendum-amid-high-tensions/

"Crimea referendum: Wide condemnation after region votes to split from Ukraine." Fox News. (2014): n. page. Web. 17 Mar. 2014. <http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/03/16/polls-open-in-crimea-referendum-amid-high-tensions/>.

Search Area Expands As Officials Continue To Seach For Missing Malaysian Flight

It has been 9 days since Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 went missing. Since then, officials have deemed that this disappearance was not an accident as the communications were manually shut off. It was discovered that the plane may have flown for 7 more hours after the last signal was received from the plane. This expands the search area thousands of miles. Now the missing plane could be anywhere from Kazakhstan to the Indian Ocean. Over 25 countries have banded together now to search for this plane.


http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/16/world/asia/malaysia-airlines-plane/

Almasy, Steve, Chelsea Carter, and Jim Clancy. "Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 search grows as pilots face increased scrutiny." CNN. (2014): n. page. Web. 16 Mar. 2014.

Conflicting Loyalties in Ukraine

The population is divided in Crimea, on weather or not to join the Russian Federation, or to stay with Ukraine. Many officials agree with the decision to join Russia but not all the people feel the same way. Crimean's first Deputy Prime Minister Rustam Temirgaliev states that he feels confident that "We will win this vote with 70 to 75% " Many people though beg to differ. The new Ukrainian Prime Minister has called the move "illigitimate and with no legal basis" since the changing of borders must be approved by the whole country. People such as Lana and her family, who were interviewed, also declared that they would rather stay with Ukraine since they have no ties with Russia

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26486289

Lowen, Mark. "Crimean's loyalties split despite leaders' certainty." BBC News. (2014): n. page. Web. 10 Mar. 2014.

Nato Jets Monitoring Ukraine Border

In the Ukraine crisis that is currently taking place in the peninsula of Crimea, the Russian parliament has allowed its troops to take possession of anyone who they fear is in threat of the new government in Kiev that they deem as “illegitimate.” Recently the new Ukrainian government has asked for support from the European Union and the United States. The Unites States has been placing extra troops into the countries of Poland and Romania. NATO has sent in AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) into these countries to keep an eye on the Russian buildup of troops along the border of Ukraine and Russia.This all comes from the invasion that troops of Russian origin, that Russia is claiming to have no affiliation with but are from the Russian Black Sea fleet, seized a Ukrainian hospital that had Ukrainian wounded soldiers and war veterans.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26521311

Lowen, Mark. "Nato jets to moniter Ukraine border." BBC News. (2014): n. page. Web. 10 Mar. 2014.

Malaysian Flight Missing

At 1:30 am on March 8th, a Malaysian flight disappeared off the radar. Modern flights occasionaly disappear and can take months to find, yet this situation is different. The area where they believe the plane when missing is frequently traveled by boats and is no deeper than 260 ft. Officials have stated that they could not rule out any possible causes of the crash. The search area for Flight MH370 is about 750 miles long. The last two readings from the missing flight was recorded at 1:21 am local time, approximately 40 minutes after takeoff.



http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/11/world/asia/hunt-for-missing-malaysian-jet.html?hpw&rref=world&_r=0

Fuller, Thomas. Bradsher, Keith. Wald, Matthew. "False Leads Set Back Search For Malaysian Jet." New York Times. (2014): n. page. Web. 10 Mar. 2014