June 20, 1943 was a warm morning in Amsterdam. Despite the heat of the coming day, some people wore several layers of clothing. They stood and huddled by the dozens, with bundles of belongings at their feet. It was the last large roundup and deportation of Jews from the city.
Some people watched from open windows. From the third story, a person stepped back into the shadow of their room and took a snapshot of their neighbors outside waiting to be taken away. In the foreground of the photo, two porcelain teacups sit on the windowsill. This photo and the idea of sipping tea while witnessing such cruelty and evil, has come to symbolize the worst of what it means to be a bystander.
That day in that city is personal to us as our good friend Irene Hasenberg Butter and her family were part of the 5,500 Jews removed and forced into camps. Like many Holocaust survivors, Irene speaks of “never being a bystander.” It is a message she has delivered to tens of thousands of listeners and readers.
Her message has become more salient in recent years as we face increased national division, hate crimes, and bullying. Irene encourages people “not to be passive and silent when they face wrongdoing.” She is particularly interested in reaching young adults because they are the age she was during the Holocaust.
“I want students to realize there are problems in the present-day world. Genocide, prejudice, discrimination, and hatred have continued … And each one of us has a responsibility to make a difference. It’s a wake-up call.”
What, exactly, does Irene mean when she says, “never a bystander?”
First, she means that there is no such thing as a bystander in the face of injustice and evil. Inactive watching is not neutral, it is being complicit. We are fooling ourselves when we say we are only witnessing.
Second, once we understand the myth of the bystander, she calls upon us to not act like one. We must set aside our tea and get involved. We must call attention to injustice. Call for help. Be the help. Stand between what is right and wrong, in any way, great or small. This call is not limited to the Holocaust. It applies to upholding democracy, saving the environment, fighting poverty, and helping the oppressed.
Martin Luther King wrote from a Birmingham jail, “We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and the actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people.” And on this year’s MLK day, Deacon Arthur Miller, a childhood friend of Emmet Till, delivered a sermon in Springfield, saying if there was an 11th commandment it would be “Thou shalt not be a bystander.” In other words, we need to answer not only for those breaking dishes, so to speak, but for those who just drink tea.
Last, Irene emphasizes that never being a bystander means staying grateful, even in dark times. To not be a bystander to the gifts and joys in life. She tells us to give thanks for what we have and act when we must.
This Thursday, Jan. 27, is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a time to pause and remember the Holocaust and more importantly, the lessons learned (or relearned), because they extend to all of us.
Along with Irene Butter, Kris Holloway and John Bidwell are co-authors of “Shores Beyond Shores: from Holocaust to Hope.” Kris is President & CEO of CIS Abroad and John is Executive Director of United Way of the Franklin and Hampshire Region.