China's Schindlers

[Billie Johnson]

In 1937 the Japanese entered the Chinese capital of Nanjing and a massacre ensued. Weeks later in Germany the Nazi's attacked Jews Kristallnacht. A German businessman and member of the Nazi party, John Rabe, in Nanjing refused to leave and saved thousands of Chinese lives and a Chinese diplomat, Ho Feng Shan, in Ho Feng Shan Vienna saved thousands of Jews.  This film is an excellent source for untold stories about World War II. In heartbreaking and graphic detail through images and storytelling, we get first hand accounts of what took place during this time in history. In about 3 months the Japanese forces killed approximately 300,000 people.

The first hand accounts from survivors are heartbreaking. I never knew that this happened and was saddened but encouraged by the people who put their own lives on the line when they did not have to. This film is way too graphic to use in my class, but it is a great source of information. I was left thinking the same thought I have with so many other senseless tragedies, 'Why?'. These events can lead great discussions about perspectives, bystanders, social justice, and much more. 

[Esther Dupree]

Thank you for sharing this!  Sometimes (often times!) East Asia is really left as a dark spot when we learn about world history.  Everything about the culture, geneology, values, religion geography and traditions seem to not be disseminated in traditional social science instruction.  This would be a great film for secondary students who are studying WWII.  It is really important for students to know that not just England, Germany and the US were part of that war.  Every group of people participated or was deeply affected by the events of WWII.  It would also be really useful to discuss with students the Chinese approach to human rights tragedies.  Germany has a very adamant stance against genocide and they work hard to instruct all students about the terrible things that happened leading up to and during WWII.  They have plaques on houses all over Germany showing that Jews were taken from specific homes there.  Rowanda has a museum dedicated to teach everyone about the genocide that took place there.  They want to insist every foreign visitor along with every student growing up in the country.  When a nation faces the atrocities commited under their flag, it allows younger generations to refocus the values of society to prevent such things from happening again.  I wonder how China addresses any of the many atrocities that have taken place under their flag.  It would be a great resarch unit and a way to really have students decide what is appropriate in terms of addressing human rights violations from the past.  Along with this, we can focus a light on America and compare some of the things that have gotten swept under the rug here and how we as Americans honor or ignore those who have suffered under the majority's rule.

[Brigid Schmidt]

I have always had an interest in history and especially WWII. Schindler's List was a heartbreaking film that told stories of upstanders helping those in need, but I haven't heard of this film before. Thanks for bringing awareness to these accounts. My 8th graders study WWII in their US history class, so the accounts from this film could be useful to bring up during oral or online discussions. Like you mentioned, who are the bystanders and what is social justice? Why do we not know about these upstanders and these events as much as we learn about others? I would like to say that events like these only happened in the past, but the truth it, they are still occuring today, like we learned from Symposium on Xinjiang. How do we better teach our students the value of another human life nomatter their race, religion, or nationality? I will look for this film. Where did you find it?

[Billie Johnson]

Thank you for the feedback!  I do want to cultivate a class of students who are aware and compassionate critical thinkers. Your idea for a learning unit is spot on. It would be a deep learning opportunity to explore and to hear the feedback from my student groups. The hardest thing I have found in my class is just getting my students to care.  They care about many things, but I want them to learn how they can really change the outcome of our futures. Your feedback is very helpful. Thank you.

[Billie Johnson]

Hi Brigid! Schindler's List was incredibly heartbreaking but only told part of the story. I like how you posed these questions as a means to drive conversations and research. I saw this film on Amazon Prime and it was eye-opening.  

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