"We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere." -
Elie Wiesel (1928-2016)
Holocaust Survivor
Nobel Peace Prize recipient, 1986
Author, possibly best known for Night Another quote from Elie Wiesel:
“Let us not forget, after all, that there is always a moment when the moral choice is made. Often because of one story or one book or one person, we are able to make a different choice, a choice for humanity, for life.” Mr. Wiesel was speaking of '
the people who were rescuers during the Holocaust.'
Eligible students age 13+ are invited to "
write an essay responding to Wiesel’s quote in 500 words or less" if interested to participate in the
2017 Facing History Together Student Essay Contest, open March 1-15, 2017. This year's contest is sponsored by Holland & Knight Charitable Foundation's Holocaust Remembrance Project.
The 2016 contest was focused on the theme of "To Kill a Mockingbird", and was sponsored by Margaret Stohl, New York Times #1 Best Selling Author (co-author of young adult novel
Beautiful Creatures).
More information at the website of
2017 Facing History Together, which also provides two questions which may serve as writing prompts: "
What story, book, or person has influenced your thinking about ethical decision making? What has it taught you about how you can participate as a caring, thoughtful citizen in the world around you?"
