Speaker urges school board to address anti-Semitism and promote Holocaust education

A powerful call to action resonated during the February 10 Board of Education meeting at Adlai E. Stevenson High School, as community members voiced urgent concerns over rising antisemitism and the need for comprehensive Holocaust education.

One speaker highlighted the alarming trend of antisemitic incidents at the school, urging the board to take decisive steps to combat this issue. "To affect change, something needs to change," they stated, emphasizing that understanding the Holocaust's history is not enough; students must learn how such atrocities were allowed to happen.

The speaker referenced the Nuremberg Trials, where the ordinary lives of Nazi perpetrators shocked the world, and suggested that educators watch the documentary "The Wave." This film illustrates how a high school teacher transformed a class into a Nazi youth movement, demonstrating the ease with which propaganda can manipulate minds.

Drawing parallels to contemporary culture, the speaker also recommended the musical "Wicked" as an allegory for the Holocaust, highlighting how propaganda can control the masses. They warned that history is repeating itself and called on the board to ensure that school leadership is held accountable for the safety and education of all students, particularly those in the Jewish community.

In closing, the speaker urged the board to embody the spirit of Elphaba from "Wicked," advocating for responsibility and oversight to protect every student. The meeting underscored the critical need for proactive measures in education to address and prevent antisemitism in schools.