Wednesday, August 3, 2011

GO ASK ALICE, THE LADY IN APARTMENT #6, I THINK SHE'LL KNOW

"GO ASK ALICE, I THINK SHE'LL KNOW" are lyrics from the song "White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane.

Today's post has to do with a woman who is 107 years old, she is the worlds oldest known Holocaust survivor, her name is Alice Herz-Sommer, and lives in a small apartment in North London, England.


Recently a friend off mine Suzanne, brought to my attention this very special woman, Alice. I write a lot of blog posts from the most morbid, victims rights, to politics, and human interest stories, the entire spectrum. Sometimes, I receive e-mails, suggestions from others about topics of interest.


I have to admit that with all the crazy shit going on in today's world I initially didn't read this information at first, because it seemed "unremarkable" to read anything about a 107 year old human being. Pretty sad, when I don't even pay attention to the mere fact that someone has even lived to the age of 107 years of age.


Thankfully, I did read the information a few days later and found myself not only captivated by Alice, her life, but I watched it over and over several times, as she affected me so deeply on an emotional level.


 As I said, Alice is a Holocaust survivor. You remember the Holocaust ?


Although the exact figure of those murdered will never be known, here are estimates:
  • The figure of 11 million people dead is often given but it is completely unclear where this figure comes from, and how it is calculated. It is far too low. One also encounters the range 11-17 million.
  • 6 million of these were Jewish (close to two thirds of Europe's Jewish population) and about one quarter of these were children under 15.
  • Up to 270,000 were Roma/Sinti (Gypsies).
In addition, Hitler targeted homosexuals, Communists and other political dissidents, most Slavs, Jehovah's Witnesses, dissidents, some Protestant pastors and Catholic priests, black people, the mentally and physically disabled, and others. The figures include the camps as well as the mass graves in the countryside, killings in the street, organized mass shootings (such as Babi Yar, etc.) and basically, any person singled out for their race, religion, political beliefs, or their sexual orientation.
 

Basic facts of the Holocaust are that people murdered were:  

  • Jews- 6.0 million
  • Soviet POW's- 3.3 million
  • Non-Jewish Poles- 1.8-2 million
  • Romanis ('gypsies')- 220,000- 270,000 (but even the higher figure may be too low)
  • Disabled- 200,000 - 250,000
  • Homosexuals- 5,000 - 15,000
  • Jehovahs Witnesses- 2,500 - 5,000
  The  accurate number of Holocaust survivors in the world remaining alive today are not known, possibly about 200,000, dwindling fast.


The train has already left the station. There’s nothing  much to say about the Holocaust that hasn't already been said. The best we can do is remember what happened, document it, tell future generations, and try to make sure it never happens again, in spite of revisionists such as the current President of Iran, who claims that the "Holocaust never happened and was made up by the Jews". 

If we say, ‘What a pity,’ will it help? No , it won't. This is a post about more than that.


The story of Alice Herz-Sommer is truly amazing not just about her survival, but more so about who she is today. Alice is inspirational,  musically talented beyond belief  at even her age, but much more important, as a beacon of the rare goodness that can still exist in a person during these insane days of this world. 

If only more people like Alice existed, our world would be a very special place to live in and be a part of, instead of the toxic cesspool it is today.


Where an angel like her comes from is hard to understand after all the suffering she has been through in her life.

Do yourself a favor, take a few minutes and give a gift to your soul,  CLICK ON HERE TO WATCH THE STORY OF ALICE HERZ-SOMMER,  that will explain much better than me, why she is an amazing example of how good the the human spirit can be.

Also watch the video below to see and feel more from this amazing lady as she explains her life.