Etymology

Holocaust: Greek, wholly burned

Genocide: Genos, Greek, tribe or group. –Cide, Latin, killing

So when the dean announced the college decided to restructure my position as Holocaust & Genocide Center director, I thought about origins. And tolerance. When he said the position would now be three credits a semester (only fall and spring) instead of part-time employment at twenty-five hours a week at an hourly wage, I thought about origins. And tolerance. And things being wholly burned. A career killed. When he said the director must be present in the Center Monday through Thursday, I thought about origins. And tolerance. And things being wholly burned. A career killed. An us vs. them (meaning me). I sent my letter of resignation. No response. I thought about when I started in this position more than five years ago at three credits each during the fall and spring semesters. I thought about intolerance for people like me with physical disability. I thought about the proverbial bridges being burned, not to mention my grandparents’ siblings and their families murdered by bullets or Zyklon B. I thought about why do I study Holocaust and genocide? Why did I pursue my doctorate? Why do I teach it at undergrad and graduate levels? I think about how othered I continue to be when othering is the norm. I think about Holocaust and genocide and how, to paraphrase Holocaust survivor Abel Herzberg, six million is one person six million times.