Why have the gulags been forgotten in history?

Question

We're coming up on "Holocaust Remembrance Day".
A day to remember what many call the most horrible attrocity in human history; to the point that Jewish organizations such as the ADL won't ever let America forget.

Yet, I'm of German/Russo-Jewish descent and none of my family were killed in the Holocaust. No, rather, my great grandparents and their children were mercilessly sent to their premature demise at the hands of Stalin in the Soviet Gulags.

It's only by a miracle that my mother was able to reach Italy and continue to live a normal life after the fact.

Yet today, in America, Europe and the world-over...no one remembers the gulags, the pain, the suffering, the 15 million Russians, Poles and more who were sentenced to a gruesome demise. No, all we hear about today is the "six million" killed in Germany; their pain, their suffering, how we all owe them something.

Because Russia was America's ally in WWII, it gives them the right to forget? Pretend it never happpened?

Answer 1

was it dick durban that remembered the gulags... when he compared guantanamo to them. I find it more strange that NO BODY remembers that almost as many christians were killed by Hitler as the Jews were yet everyone only mentions the Jew deaths. 13 million people were killed mostly christian and 6 million were Jews. but to the subject of history or even current day events nobody knows anything about them anymore or just dont care. stop anyone on the street and ask them something very basic and 9 out of 10 they get it wrong. its sad how people are so wrapped up in their own little lives they have put everything else to the wayside.

Answer 2

Apparently it hasn't been forgotten. As long as someone is around to tell the story and bring attention to it...it won't be forgotten. The story of the 6 million killed under Nazi rule is so well known because the survivors and their families do their best to keep the memory alive. That's not necessarily a bad thing...though there can be negatives as well.

If you want to do justice to the trials your family suffered and overcame, do what you can to educate people about their story. You might want to take a less augmentative tack. It's not about silencing other people, it's about giving voice to your own history. I think your story will find a better reception if you tell it from a place pride. That's what it deserves. Don't let it be overshadowed by bitterness for others.

Remember there are a LOT of stories in the world. Generally, only those with a champion stay with us.

Answer 3

I have no answer to your question, But being a history Buff, I have not forgot. A lot of horrible things happened in WW2.. I posted a link that might help some remember.. Or learn it for the first time..

Answer 4

The victors always write the history. Russia won, so forget about the gulags. Joe Stalin would be proud that it is never brought up.

Answer 5

I can empathize with your families plight. However Society and I mean World Society Is tired of being forced to revisit a very traumatic era. Yes it affected you. Yes It affected world politics. But I for one do not wish to revisit it on an annual basis. I've been to the holocaust museum and I cried.... For me my penance is done

Answer 6

This really is an inconvenient truth.for the socialist left wingers