It can be hard for a native California to live in Arizona. Not just because of the triple digits in the summers. But because there is so much to do in California and so much I want to share with my family. Don’t get me wrong. I love living in Arizona. So when we visit our family in California I make sure to carve out time for important places. One of those places is the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. I first visited the museum in 2010 as a youth leader for my church. It was such a sacred experience. And one I want for each of my children when they are old enough to understand history a little better.
My plan was to take my oldest son when he was about 12. We were able to visit this past summer, right after he finished his 7th grade year. It worked out wonderfully as he studied World History in 7th grade. His teacher spent some time teaching about World War II. My son, with my permission, was able to watch The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Also to prepare him I asked him to read Anne Frank, a book that impacted my life as a young teen. Having a knowledge of the Holocaust helped prepare him for the seriousness of this sacred place.
My BFF Shari and I took our sons and a couple other of their friends to The Museum of Tolerance. My younger kids stayed behind with friends because I knew they weren’t quite ready yet for this experience. I really appreciated our kids being reverent and open during this experience. We were able to join a tour (make sure to look up times before your visit) through the first part of the museum. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and objective. One of his aims was to encourage our group to think about things critically. It can be easy to think something is the way it is. But as he introduced other sides it became apparent we shouldn’t just go with what was being told, but to reflect and think for ourselves. He shared people want us just to believe what is being taught and to not thing for ourselves. And critical thinking is essential to decide what is right.
This museum isn’t just about the Holocaust, although that is an important part. This museum covers all kind of opposition and prejudices. Using history they show patterns of behavior and encourage us to think about what is really fair. We talk about scapegoats and freedom of speech. And the idea of restricting freedoms to ensure safety. Is that the right thing? And what can we DO about it.
Another part my son and I really enjoyed was the role people can play in history. We have perpetrators and we have the people who collaborate with them. Honestly I can’t really relate to them. I’m a pretty good person who certainly makes mistakes but I’m not trying to be bad or work with bad people. But there are two other groups of people: bystander’s and upstander’s.
Am I the kind of person who stands by while others are unkind or unfair? Or am I the kind of person who stands up for what is right? Even when it’s hard. What an important message for our youth and us to reflect on. You might be hesitant to attend the Holocaust portion of the museum. People have made comments that it’s uncomfortable or depressing. And it heartbreaking. But their is hope as you learn about people, everyday normal people, who saw evil happening and stood up against it. Some were able to do so quietly. Others lost their lives. The Holocaust is part of our history. And it’s vital that we remember it and learn from it.
But I loved their example of standing up for what is right. And that is what I want to teach my children. It starts small sometimes. I tell my kids that if someone is being unkind to someone they should stand up for them. And they should know it’s natural for a bully to turn on them when they do. But we shouldn’t let that stop us from doing what is right. These playground lessons prepare our children for when they get older and the stakes are higher.
The Museum of Tolerance is a must see in LA. It touched my soul as I was able to attend again. It strengthen my resolve to stand up for others. To be kind. And to seek to understand others.
We were so blessed to have the privilege of listening to a Holocaust survivor. It was my first time meeting someone who was there. His story was amazing. It included miracles and small and large acts of courage. This man has strived to make our world a better place. I was so thankful that my son could meet him and ask him questions. Afterwards we spoke to him for some time and he showed us pictures of his family who kept him safe during the war. And I could tell it meant so much to him that young people cared about him and his story. That as he could share his wisdom and experience and pass it on to the youth, that they can make the world a better place. There is so much hope in teaching young people to care about others.
One of my favorite parts of the museum is the spiral staircase. There are beautiful photographs of survivors. (You can see some of the pictures behind us) Below their picture is listed what concentration camp the were in along with a quote. Their words were beautiful and spoke to my heart. The photographs were taken by Marissa Roth and are called a “Witness To Truth”.
Another thing I loved about The Museum of Tolerance is that they share how intolerance can happen. It starts with our thoughts and words. And false information. We can teach our children to avoid using slurs or hate speech. We need to teach our children to speak kindly about others, even when our views differ. And the realization that every group of people has bad people. We should not give heed to stereotypes or labels. And as always, more love and kindness and seeking to understand others.
I’m so thankful I was able to share this experience with my son. I know he already wants to go back when his next brother is old enough. We love visiting the ocean, but we were glad we took time to visit a place that can shape and change the lives of our children.
Check out my family night lesson on how to teach young children about hate speech.
Have you attended the Museum of Tolerance? I would love to hear your thoughts or favorite parts in the comments below…
