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The political left, however, feels that this would be
dishonorable to the victims of the Holocaust because the main (official)
reason for the continuation of the camp was the punishment of former Nazis--
hence this memorial would be commemorating both the victims and the
murderers of the Nazi period. History shows us that it was not only former
Nazis who were interned at the camp in post-war East Germany, but much like
the Bitburg Cemetery scandal, even one Nazi is too much to include in a joint
memorial with Holocaust victims.
This infused the realization that this subject and debate is alive and
vibrant; the victims of Buchenwald are being memorialized through this
constant debate, and their memory cannot be forgotten as long as people
continue fighting for their honor in commemoration. The fact that this is
a national and political debate gave me comfort because I don't think
Germany will ever be removed from the history of the Holocaust, even now
that the country is comprised of less than 50% of people born before 1945.
I think if the opportunity was given to me to visit another concentration
camp I would take it, but I don't think the experience I am now in search
of or the one I had is the typical or 'hoped for' experience that the
people in charge picture. I still very much favor Buchenwald over Dachau
in terms of commemoration, and I think Buchenwald offers much more for the
different audiences which visit.
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