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Claudia Barker's avatar

Ann's diary was one of my favorite books growing up. I am horrified to learn that it has been banned in some of our "united" states, but not surprised. Love her words about people's essential goodness, though. I will hang on to that, and yes, resist, resist...

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Jean McCluskey's avatar

It’s surprising what my little mind remembers. And, Sophie wanted to be sure that people knew what the real stories were. I even remember her husband telling a story about their going back to Poland while it was still a Communist country. All Americans were assigned a govt “guide” who even attended family get-togethers so that there was no plotting. (My Aunt & Uncle—both born in Poland— had the same thing in the mid-60s). Anyway, Joe said that at times he got very nervous because Sophie would stand up & say (in her Polish accent) anything she wanted, followed by: “You can’t touch me now. I am an American citizen.” I need to work at getting that same pride of citizenship back.

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Jean McCluskey's avatar

Beautiful pictures and wonderful remembrance of Ann Frank. I was always upset that she & her sister died so close to liberation. You may not remember that I am fascinated by WWII, mainly because there was a Polish War Bride in our neighborhood when I was very little. Sophie was taken out of college to Auschwitz. She and my Mom became close friends because Mom spoke Polish. And, she would learn to read English by reading along with me. (I couldn’t talk understandably until I went to the 1st grade, but I could read & loved books.) Anyway, although I was very young, she would tell me about the camp as we read together, I didn’t understand a lot at the time about how people could do such bad things to others at the time, but I never forgot her stories (She loved kids, but had been sterilized in the camp). And, I have read about WWII & the Holocaust since. There’s a lot more about Sophie & my family, but it ended with my parents’ divorce. Yet, she has remained with me my whole life. It’s also why I fear where we are as a country now.

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Elisa Speranza (she/her)'s avatar

Thanks for sharing that story, Jean. It’s surprising she spoke about it with such a young girl, but I’m glad Sophie’s stories live on with you. I’m sure they had an impact on the wise, generous, compassionate person you are.

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Vahe Katros's avatar

I read this after Heather Cox Richardson’s post tonight and like her piece, yours was captivating from start to finish. And yes here, each night, kids go to sleep in fear that tomorrow may be the last time they see their father. Toca madera. Knock on wood. Toca madera for another day.

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Elisa Speranza (she/her)'s avatar

Well, it’s an honor to be mentioned in the same sentence with HRC. Thanks, V. Keep the faith.

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Steph's avatar

Thank you - a good reminder that we must maintain our ideals even in the face of cruelty. There is an exhibit of her diaries currently in New York if you make it that way (although book ahead of course.)

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June Schoenfeld's avatar

I spent some time in Brussels and went to see the lace shops of Bruges. I found a hanky embellished with the fairy stitch around the edge -- it cost a fortune. Apparently, the fairy stitch takes 8 hours per inch to embroider. I bought it as a present for a bride.

Right down the street was a museum exhibiting pictures of the Ardennes Forest and associated war scenes. It also showed hideous photos of dying people with the plague centuries before.

There are some things we need to see, no matter how repulsive and painful. No book should be banned; they tell us where the cliffs of civilization begin.

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Kathy Speranza's avatar

WTF!! They banned this book. Morons! What a beautifully written essay

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Rosemary Mello's avatar

I didn’t know this book was banned. Thank you. More people should read her story.

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Jana Napoli's avatar

It is, thank goodness, a clumsy beginning. I love the news letter.. I hope to find you soon. JK

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Scott Webber's avatar

The banning of books is a glimpse into the fear shriveling the humanity of the oppressors. Stay strong!

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TERRI POTTS's avatar

Hmm… so much to consider. Revisiting history is especially important these days. Thank you for a very interesting and thoughtful read.

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Bevin Beaudet's avatar

What is the reason for banning this beautiful and historically important book? Senseless.

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Elisa Speranza (she/her)'s avatar

God forbid young people should learn about the Holocaust from a girl their own age. And she also mentions getting her period for the first time, which seems to be an automatic theme for getting a book banned (see also: Judy Blume). Ridiculous.

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Mickey Levinger's avatar

Powerfully stated, Elisa. Thank you for writing which connects the past and present so clearly.

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Thomas Dresser's avatar

Powerful piece, Elisa.

I didn't know the diary was banned, but I guess I'm not surprised.

Welcome home. Your European venture was more sobering than ours. We enjoyed a good visit with Joyce's son in Helsinki and remarked on the cheery friendliness of the Irish people we met in Limerick and Kenmare.

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Elisa Speranza (she/her)'s avatar

Oh, we had plenty of fun and libations too! Your trip photos made me homesick for Ireland.

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Yosemite Smith's avatar

Elisa, this resonates on multiple levels. Eleanor’s mom was Ann’s age and spent WW2 in occupied Holland. She saw the parallels of what occurred then and our current times. We must speak up for what we believe is right in order to honor those like her and Ann Frank.

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Elisa Speranza (she/her)'s avatar

Sadly, it’s no longer hard to imagine.

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Bruce Morrison's avatar

Resistence is imperative. So far, I'm sending money to the legal defense fund of my union of foreign service officers. I'm a 48-year dues-paying member. The union has filed suites on behalf of our USAID brothers and sisters.

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Elisa Speranza (she/her)'s avatar

Good for you, Bruce. Thank you for your service. Please let me know if there’s a way for others to contribute to the fund. As a former USAID contractor myself, I’m heartbroken to see all that good work upended.

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Bruce Morrison's avatar

We are grateful for any contributions to the legal defense fund https://afsa.org/donate.

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