Educator Tips for CombatingHolocaust Denial

& Antisemitism in the SchoolSetting

Created by Amy Shaw, Content Editor Senior, ProQuest Infographic originally appeared on ProQuest Share This blog

Michael Gray's book, Teaching the Holocaust: Practical Approaches for Ages11-18, provides guidance on navigating Holocaust education mindfully and

offers advice, lesson plans and resources to do so. This infographic provideskey takeaways from Chapters 11 & 12, which detail ways to combat

antisemitism and Holocaust denial in schools.

Teaching the Holocaust: Practical Approaches for Ages 11-18 by Michael Gray

Don't ignore antisemitism orpresent it as somethinginevitable.

Don't reinforce antisemiticstereotypes.

Don't use Nazi propagandawithout exercising caution.

Don't dehumanize Jews,constantly portray them asvictims or define them solely interms of the Holocaust.

Provide diverse examples ofJewish individuals and families tochallenge stereotypes andmisconceptions.

Ensure that students understandthe context of Nazi propaganda. Propaganda should be carefullydeconstructed to show itsinaccuracies and prejudices.

Explain who Jews are and showpositive moments in theirhistory. Provide information ontheir religion, history andculture. When discussing theHolocaust, highlight the Jewishresistance to demonstrate theirbravery and courage. Alwaysexercise caution when showinggraphic images of the Holocaust.

Present antisemitism assomething which should bechallenged and rejected. Ifantisemitism manifests itself inyour classroom and you ignore it, your action implies that thebehavior is acceptable.

REPLACE THESE BEHAVIORS

& ACTIONS

WITH  THESE ACTIONS 

INSTEAD

Don't get side-tracked ontocontemporary Middle Easternpolitics and conflict.

When Teaching About the Holocaust

Keep the Following in Mind 

DISADVANTAGES

The truth will prevail. Teachers should offer opportunities fordifferent viewpoints to ensure the classroom is a forum fordebate, discussion and learning. If students can reach theiropinion through evidence-based knowledge as opposed toofficial sanction, they will be better equipped.

Holocaust denial websites are already easily discovered bystudents. Students who encounter Holocaust denial websiteswill be more likely to reject its aims and ideas if they arepresented with appropriate counter-arguments.

Examining Holocaust denial demonstrates that there areanswers to the arguments presented by Holocaust deniers.Ignoring it might make students conclude there might be truth toHolocaust deniers’ claims.

It may help reduce the ability of Holocaust deniers to recruitnew supporters. Students might be less likely to be drawn to thework of Holocaust deniers if teachers raise the issue first andmake it be seen as ignorant as opposed to something risqué oredgy.

ADVANTAGES

It can legitimize the cause of the Holocaust denial and distortionmovement. Teachers might run the risk of giving deniers anddistorters unmerited recognition. Students might be fooled by thefacade of scholarly legitimacy built by deniers and distorters. 

It can raise awareness of the Holocaust denial and distortionmovement. Some students might not have heard of themovement.  This argument is flawed, however, because it assumestwo things: 1) raised awareness equates raised support and 2)ignorance is preferable to knowledge.

It could pique students’ curiosity to visit Holocaust denialwebsites.  This, however, should not be a serious concern becauseif teachers equip students with counter-arguments, it will helpstudents view the websites with a critical approach.

Addressing Holocaust

Denial & Distortion in the

Classroom

Source: "Teaching the Holocaust: Practical Approaches for Ages 11-18" by Michael Gray via ProQuest Ebook Central More Information: ProQuest Guided Research products also offer many resources on the Holocaust. Free trials are available.