Commemorative Anne Frank Exhibit Visits Seattle

4/1/2016

By Thérèse Chapman
AFO guest writer

The voice of Anne Frank speaks to us at the Henry and Sandra Friedman Holocaust Center for Humanity in Seattle, WA seventy-one years after her death in March, 1945. Until May 25th, visitors can stop by the exhibit’s intimate setting for a guided trip back to the 1940’s, or sit down to a film on The Short Life of Anne Frank. To get the most out of the excursion, do read Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl before-hand.

What makes this exhibit successful, and what makes Frank’s story memorable, is that we vicariously experience the devastating impact of discrimination and genocide because her voice is honest and relatable. While most today cannot directly understand the Holocaust’s horrors, nor living over two years confined inside a “secret annex,” most can relate to feeling stuck, depressed, or down-heartened by life circumstances or the injustices of the world. Yet Frank’s sense of humor and yes, even words of wisdom, show us the grace in which we might hope to handle such disasters ourselves.

On July 15, 1944 after two years in the secret annex, Frank writes, “It’s really a wonder that I haven’t dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart” (Diary of a Young Girl). These are the words that rang through meandering from one picture to another displayed across the exhibit’s walls—quotes from Frank’s diary and pictures including those of freight cars shipping men, women, and children to concentration and death camps, seen for probably the last time alive.

The exhibit preserves the story of a girl whose voice lives and belts out over injustice and inequality. A voice who reminds us that when we “think that [we can’t] change things,” (Diary of a Young Girl), to remember that even the smallest deeds can positively impact the world today, and the world tomorrow.

In fact, First Lady Michelle Obama recently reminded us of the need to keep talking, to keep demanding, to keep fighting for equality.

Full video clip by PBS News Hour published March 8, 2016. Screenshot taken from PBS News Hour News/Media Website verified business Facebook page.

While the First Lady’s context pertains to women’s rights, the idea of not allowing ourselves to become complacent applies to all rights. This means, say something next time that distant relative cracks a racist joke. Say something next time that man in the office makes a sexual remark to a woman. Say something next time a person’s sex, gender, race, age, religion becomes a “reason” for anything other than what makes them beautiful and special. Because if we don’t speak up, discrimination and prejudices become normal.

Anne Frank said something. Not knowing that her words would be a powerful first-hand account of living in hiding as a Jew during WWII, Frank still showed us the long-term impact voice has on a global audience. A 13-year old voice “that’s been translated into more than thirty languages and adapted for theater, film, and television” (Diary of a Young Girl).

Event Details:

WHERE:
Henry and Sandra Friedman Holocaust Center for Humanity
2045 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA
WHEN:
Now through May 25th
Wednesdays, 10:00am-4:00
Sundays, 10:00am-4:00pm
TICKETS:
Adult - $10 Suggested Donation
Student - $5 Suggested Donation
Senior - $5 Suggested Donation
RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
A Bantam Book / published by arrangements with Doubleday

Publishing History
Doubleday edition published 1967
Bantam edition / July 1993

Material from Anne Frank, A Portrait in Courage by Earnst Schnabel, translated by Richard and Clara Winston, which appears in the Afterword, is used by permission of Harcourt, Books, Brace & World, Inc.

Doubleday, 1540 Broadway, New York, New York 10036.

Thérèse Chapman
Seattle, WA

Thérèse believes that stories have the power to motivate and implement change. Recognizing that stories are told in many different ways—visual art, performance art, music, books, oral tradition—Thérèse strives to provide readers with the perhaps not-so-obvious truth. She is passionate about women’s rights, the humane treatment of animals, and the need for people to simply love one another. In addition to writing, Thérèse has been telling stories over 20 years through classical dance, and experiments with acrylic painting and do-it-yourself crafts. She rescued a shelter dog and cat who keep her company while writing…along with a glass of wine.

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