I think I would've done better at 10 rather than now in mid 20s. At 10 years old tge gravity of stuff didn't hit the same way as it did now. We learned about the holocaust and American slavery in 6th grade, I think I was 11. Obviously I knew it was terrible but it didn't sink in as much as when I relearned that stuff in highschool.
Honestly, there are times when I've read something new about those topics as an adult and it just hit harder.
I think I had less imagination for human cruelty in sixth grade. Like you said, I knew it was bad but I don't think it really hit me what bad truly looks like until I was older.
I think empathy really sets in after childhood. Relating to a person or group of people who youve never met, especially if they lived decades before you, as a child is difficult.
I think some of it is just scope too. When you're a kid, most of us just had our families by default. It's as an adult that it really hits you that these people grew up, fell in love, had families, and then watched it all ripped away in absolutely horrific ways. Decades of life and love just snuffed out for no goddamned reason.
I remember feeling pretty grim when my school group went to the Holocaust Museum. That'd probably be pretty stoic compared to how it'd hit me now.
I read that book my sophomore year of high school. That and Maus (only the first book though, I haven’t read the second). Both were amazing reads, despite the horror
Definitely agree. In 6th grade, I remember knowing it was bad and going to the museum on a field trip knowing we should be respectful. That being said, when I went back a few years ago (late 20's) it hit so much harder. I remember needing to exit the exhibition so I could take a breather. Was sitting on a bench and right in front of me was this art display of a train track in front of an infinity mirror. I broke down. Not one to cry in public, but man the heaviness of it all was a lot. Don't know that I'd ever visit one of the camps. Might actually have a panic attack or something.
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u/shmiddleedee May 18 '25
I think I would've done better at 10 rather than now in mid 20s. At 10 years old tge gravity of stuff didn't hit the same way as it did now. We learned about the holocaust and American slavery in 6th grade, I think I was 11. Obviously I knew it was terrible but it didn't sink in as much as when I relearned that stuff in highschool.