Holocaust trivialization

Numerous authors argue that such uses trivialize the meaning of the Holocaust, and many consider them offensive. In the words of Holocaust survivor and memoirist Elie Wiesel , I cannot use [the word 'Holocaust'] anymore. First, because there are no words, and also because it has become so trivialized that I cannot use it anymore. Whatever mishap occurs now, they call it 'holocaust'. I have seen it myself in television in the country in which I live. A commentator describing the defeat of a sports team, somewhere, called it a 'holocaust'. I have read in a very prestigious newspaper published in California, a description of the murder of six people, and the author called it a holocaust. Manfred Gerstenfeld identifies trivialization and universalization of the Holocaust as one of eleven forms of Holocaust distortion. Holocaust trivialization involves the application of language that is specific to describing the Holocaust to events and purposes that are unrelated to it. Antisemitism and Hate in Canada , from the League for Human Rights of Canada Comprehending the Holocaust: Historical and Literary Research , ed. Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs .

Idea that comparative uses of the word Holocaust trivialize the Holocaust See also: Holocaust denial Many authors argue that a metaphorical (or otherwise comparative) use of the word Holocaust constitutes Holocaust trivialization , and many consider such uses offensive. In the words of Holocaust survivor and memoirist Elie Wiesel : I cannot use [the word 'Holocaust'] anymore. First, because there are no words, and also because it has become so trivialized that I cannot use it anymore. Whatever mishap occurs now, they call it 'holocaust'. I have seen it myself in television in the country in which I live. A commentator describing the defeat of a sports team, somewhere, called it a 'holocaust'. I have read in a very prestigious newspaper published in California, a description of the murder of six people, and the author called it a holocaust. Manfred Gerstenfeld identifies trivialization and universalization of the Holocaust as one of eleven forms of Holocaust distortion. Holocaust trivialization involves the application of language that is specific to describing the Holocaust to events and purposes that are unrelated to it. On the other hand, David Stannard argued that attempts to eliminate Holocaust comparisons belittle other events of comparable magnitude. Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs . "The dangers of calling the Holocaust unique" , The Chronicle of Higher Education , August 2, 1996.

Inappropriate comparisons or analogies that trivialize the Holocaust Holocaust trivialization is any comparison or analogy that diminishes the impact of the Holocaust , the Nazi genocide of six million European Jews during World War II . The Wiesel Commission defined trivialization as the abusive use of comparisons with the aim of minimizing the Holocaust and banalizing its atrocities. Originally, holocaust meant a type of sacrifice that is completely burnt to ashes; starting from the late 19th century, it started to denote an extensive destruction of a group, usually people or animals. The 1915 Armenian genocide was described as a "holocaust" by contemporary observers. Manfred Gerstenfeld identifies trivialization of the Holocaust as one of eleven forms of Holocaust distortion; he defines Holocaust trivialization as the application of language that is specific to describing the Holocaust to events and purposes that are unrelated to it. According to David Rudrum, examples of Holocaust trivialization include Lord Wigley invoking Auschwitz to oppose nuclear weapons and Al Gore citing Kristallnacht in defence of the environment. In the words of Holocaust survivor and memoirist Elie Wiesel , "I cannot use [the word 'Holocaust'] anymore. First, because there are no words, and also because it has become so trivialized that I cannot use it anymore. Whatever mishap occurs now, they call it 'holocaust.' I have seen it myself in television in the country in which I live. A commentator describing the defeat of a sports team, somewhere, called it a 'holocaust.' I have read in a very prestigious newspaper published in California, a description of the murder of six people, and the author called it a holocaust. So, I have no words anymore." Foxman, Abraham H. Suny, Ronald Grigor (2015). 'They Can Live in the Desert but Nowhere Else': A History of the Armenian Genocide . Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs . The Holocaust Exhibition and Learning Centre . Comprehending the Holocaust: Historical and Literary Research .

Inappropriate comparisons or analogies that trivialize the Holocaust Trivialization of the Holocaust is the act of making comparisons that diminish the scale and severity of the atrocities committed by Nazi Germany . The Wiesel Commission defined trivialization as the abusive use of comparisons with the aim of minimizing the Holocaust and banalizing its atrocities. Manfred Gerstenfeld identifies trivialization of the Holocaust as one of the eleven forms of Holocaust distortion; he defines Holocaust trivialization as the application of language that is specific to describing the Holocaust to events and purposes that are unrelated to it. According to David Rudrum, examples of Holocaust trivialization include Lord Wigley invoking Auschwitz to oppose nuclear weapons and Al Gore citing Kristallnacht in defence of the environment. The Holocaust survivor and memoirist Elie Wiesel wrote, "I cannot use [the word 'Holocaust'] anymore. First, because there are no words, and also because it has become so trivialized that I cannot use it anymore. Whatever mishap occurs now, they call it 'holocaust.' I have seen it myself in television in the country in which I live. A commentator describing the defeat of a sports team, somewhere, called it a 'holocaust.' I have read in a very prestigious newspaper published in California, a description of the murder of six people, and the author called it a holocaust. So, I have no words anymore." Foxman, Abraham H. Comprehending the Holocaust: Historical and Literary Research .