Personal Reflections: Grappling with History and Shared Humanity
Sunday Morning, Over Coffee and Documentaries
At school, they hinted that any nation could commit a Holocaust. Teachers emphasized how Germany, a nation of intellectuals, artists, and scientists, descended into unimaginable cruelty. The lesson was meant to warn us – to remind us to beware of the enemy lurking within human nature. But for me, it raised other questions.
“In that land shall dwell the holy ones.” The vision of a holy people standing before God – it sounds ideal, but what does it mean? What is holiness, and who are the people? These questions linger, even as I watch a Holocaust documentary on a quiet Sunday morning. My wife is asleep, the kids are distracted, and Netflix is my twenty-dollar window into history.
The film ends with a centenarian who dedicated his life to Holocaust research. He promises to keep going for as long as he can, ready to pass the torch to a younger generation. Before him, a young man spoke of shared destiny. “One planet,” he said. “We’re all stuck here together, so let’s be friends.”
I wonder how that message would land with a merciless killer entering your home.
Practical Tips: Embracing Cultural Reflection in Immigration
- Explore the History of Your New Home
Understanding the cultural and historical context of your new country can deepen your sense of belonging. Watch documentaries, read books, or attend local history events to connect with the stories that shape the place you now call home. - Engage in Open Conversations About Identity
Questions of identity and shared humanity often surface during immigration. Use these reflections as an opportunity to have meaningful conversations with your family or community. What does it mean to belong? How do historical lessons shape the future? - Balance Connection and Personal Boundaries
While learning about your new culture is vital, it’s equally important to hold onto aspects of your own identity. Share your perspectives with those around you to enrich mutual understanding, but don’t feel pressured to let go of your roots. - Find Moments for Quiet Reflection
Amid the hustle of adaptation, allow yourself moments for introspection. Watching a documentary, journaling, or simply sitting with your thoughts can help you process the deeper questions of purpose, destiny, and shared humanity. - Teach and Learn Together
If you have children, guide them through understanding both their cultural heritage and the one they are stepping into. Balance lessons on history with discussions about values, empathy, and the responsibility we all share in shaping the future.
Immigration brings with it layers of history, culture, and identity – your own, and the one you’re stepping into. Through reflection, conversation, and a willingness to explore, it’s possible to connect with both and find a place where the past and present meet to create a shared future.
Written by Wa Alikum Salam, Immigrant.
