Conversations with Stephen Kamugasa
Genocide: Why It Is Important To Bear Witness
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Episode notes
Podcast summary:
In this inaugural episode of our six-part series on genocide, we delve into the silence that often surrounds this grave issue. Our esteemed guest, Dr. Maria Chamberlain, an honorary fellow at the University of Edinburgh and a Holocaust survivor's daughter, shares her poignant personal history and insights.
Born in Krakow, Poland, and having emigrated to the UK in 1958, Dr. Chamberlain discusses her childhood experiences, including the influence of her caretaker Nela, which later inspired her to study fungi professionally. She reflects on the impact of her parents' traumatic past and how it shaped her identity, especially after moving to a new country.
Dr. Chamberlain's book, "Never Tell Anyone You're Jewish: My Family, the Holocaust, and the Aftermath," is a testament to her family's harrowing experiences during the Holocaust. She emphasises the importance of Holocaust education, expressing concern over its absence in some school curricula and the general lack of awareness about events like the Belzec extermination camp.
The conversation also touches on the power of human kindness, as illustrated by the life-saving actions of a waitress and Dr. Chamberlain's mother's German boss during World War II. These stories highlight the complexity of human nature and the capacity for good even in the darkest times.
Addressing current events, Dr. Chamberlain responds to a recent terrorist attack in Israel and the subsequent opinion piece by Professor Jason Stanley, calling for a ceasefire and an end to the violence. She stresses the importance of bearing witness to the truth and the need for a peaceful resolution to conflicts.
As we conclude, Dr. Chamberlain shares a sobering reminder from Primo Levi that the Holocaust's occurrence means it could happen again. She advocates for diversity, the golden rule, and a sense of awe in the living world as ways to combat discrimination and prepare for challenging times ahead.
Listeners can find Dr. Chamberlain's book on Amazon or at local bookshops. The next episode in our series will feature Dr. Omar McDoom and is set to air on April 8th, 2024. We encourage our audience to subscribe to "Conversations with Stephen Kamugasa" for more insightful discussions.
Time-stamps:
00:00:01 - Introduction to the Podcast Series on Genocide
00:00:45 - Dr. Maria Chamberlain's Background
00:01:34 - Maria's Book on Family Holocaust Experiences
00:02:37 - The Influence of Nela on Maria's Childhood
00:07:17 - The Significance of Never Revealing Jewish Identity
00:11:20 - The Importance of Holocaust Education
00:13:42 - The Obscurity of Belzec Compared to Auschwitz
00:15:16 - The Power of Human Kindness in the Holocaust
00:17:55 - Maria's Mother's Escape from Nazi Capture
00:24:03 - Maria's Mother's Generosity and Kindness
00:26:22 - Post-War Antisemitism in Poland
00:27:49 - Immigration and National Identity
00:30:51 - The Importance of Testifying to the Truth
00:32:33 - The Complexity of Bearing Witness in Conflict
00:36:12 - The Take-Home Message from Maria's Family Story
00:39:35 - How to Purchase Maria's Book
00:40:14 - Closing Remarks and Upcoming Episode Preview