Olsson speaks out about hate
By Andrew Hoshkiw Accompanying this second book was a
In a speech at the 4th Annual Nation- documentary film by the same name,
al Character Education Conference, which was also shown at the conference.
holocaust survivor Eva Olsson shared “Over the past eight years Eva’s spo-
what hate is capable of doing. ken to over a million people,” said Ron
“I never use the word hate, because Jacques, who introduced Olsson to the
hate murdered my family,” she said. audience. “She’s spoken to audiences of
“Hate murdered millions of people, chil- soldiers, elementary school students,
dren, one and a half million children native groups, abused women. They sit
were murdered by those that hated.” enthralled, and then they come up and
While the hate that was responsible hug her and cry. Her message is power-
for the murder of millions of Jews dur- ful.”
ing the Holocaust might seem quite dif- Now a Bracebridge resident, Olsson
ferent than the hate young bullies in was forced from her home in Hungary
school harbour, the two are really not in 1944 at the age of 19 by German sol-
that far apart, Olsson told the audience diers. She was sent to Auschwitz-Birke-
“My question to you is, where do chil- nau in Nazi-occupied Poland, the largest
dren learn the word and the feeling of of the concentration camps established
hate?” she asked. “Because you can see in by Hitler. While she was spared for slave
their faces when they use the word hate. labour, 87 members of Olsson’s family
‘I hate you.’ ‘I hate my teacher because were murdered by the Nazis.
she isn’t very nice to me.’ Children are “One Grade 7 student asked me,
the product of their environment. ‘Why did they do this to you?’ and I told
Although we don’t like to admit it.” him, without going into 2000 years of
Attended by educational professionals history, let’s talk about what’s happening
from across Canada, the conference was today,” she said. “Hate.”
held at the Deerhurst Resort in Eradicating hate starts within the fam-
Huntsville from Nov. 3-4. The goal of ily, Olsson said.
the conference was to advance the edu- “Forty per cent of your children come
cational principle of character develop- from dysfunctional families,” she said.
ment for students, teachers, support staff “They don’t need your discipline; they
and community members who support need your love. Discipline with anger
student learning. Other high profile
ew Hoshkiw
does not work. I’m a proud example of
speakers at the conference included Bar- that. I got spanked more times than
bara Coloroso, Terry Scott, Hall Urban,
aph: Andr
China has chopsticks. It never worked
Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons and Stephen
ogr
because I had a mind of my own.
Lewis.
Phot
“Children need constructive disci-
“We are calling out to educators to Holocaust survivor Eva Olsson recently spoke before a large audience at the pline, they need you to help them to be
grab hold of the flag and the responsibil-
National Character Education Conference, held in Huntsville from Nov. 3-4.
able to play with other children, to func-
ity we have as educators to work with tion in the society, and you have the
children and move them forward in Struggle Against Intolerance, telling the year-old,” she said, to an audience sever- power to do it. One child at a time.”
terms of tolerance and kindness,” said tale of her history and experiences. At al hundred strong. “I was just saying this Jacques echoed these sentiments.
Jan Olsson, who is Eva Olsson’s son. He this conference, she released her second morning, ‘On the cover of my new book “Eva’s an embodiment of two of the
is principal of Huntsville High School book, Remembering Forever: A Journey of is a picture of me walking on the tracks maxims I really treasure: ‘You must be
and the co-chair of the conference Darkness and Light, which documented at Auschwitz-Birkenau and it was rain- the change you want to see in the world’
organizing committee. a journey she undertook last year to ing,’ and I said, ‘I welcomed the rain. and ‘Whatever you do will be insignifi-
In 2001, Eva Olsson, with biographer retrace her steps from the Second World They were the tears I couldn’t cry any- cant but it’s very important that you do
Ron Jacques, published her autobiogra- War. more,’ and how ironic this morning it it,’” he said. “The message is, ‘If she can
phy, Unlocking the Doors: A Woman’s “Today’s a very special day for an 84- was raining.” do it, so can I’ and that’s Eva’s strength.”
Eva Olsson to speak November 29 An Evening with Eva Olsson
In support of her new book and diers. She was sent to Auschwitz-Birke-
– A message of tolerance and hope –
DVD documentary, Remembering For- nau in Nazi-occupied Poland, the
ever: A Journey of Darkness and Light, largest of the concentration camps
Follow Eva’s journey as a Holocaust
Holocaust survivor Eva Olsson will be established by Hitler. While she was
survivor through her recently released
speaking at the Rene M. Caisse Memo- spared for slave labour, 87 members of
rial Theatre on Saturday, Nov. 29 at 7 Olsson’s family were murdered by the
DVD and second book.
p.m. Nazis.
The event is being sponsored by Billed as An Evening With Eva Ols-
Saturday, November 29 at 7pm
What’s Up Muskoka and hosted by son, the event will be a chance for
Rene M Caisse Memorial Theatre
Muskoka Magazine, says publisher Don Muskoka residents to follow Olsson,
Smith. now 84, on her journey back to her
“The idea of the event is to support homeland. Tickets $15.00
Eva in delivering her message of hope “With the new book and DVD, it’s a
Call 645-8400 to reserve your seat
and understanding to young people, way for people to experience her life
throughout Ontario and beyond,” says and for her to be able to share the mes-
Smith. sage of hope with others,” says Smith.
Brought to you by:
Now a Bracebridge resident, Olsson To purchase tickets or for more infor-
was forced from her home in Hungary mation, contact the theatre at
in 1944 at the age of 19 by German sol- 645-8400.
www.whatsupmuskoka.com November 2008 9
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