Imperial War Museum

When I went to the Imperial War Museum, I was impressed by all the different exhibits and vast amount of history in the building. Although the entire museum was interesting, I was most moved by the Holocaust exhibition on the third floor. Between the mobile killing squad room and the ghettos exhibit, there was a photograph and quote on the left side of the room. In the picture, there is an enormous, deep ditch full of corpses of people piled on top of each other. Surrounding this ditch is a building with an upper level full of Nazis. There is a man with a gun about to shoot a man standing by the ditch. This picture is describing what, unfortunately, was common practice during the Holocaust. Jews were forced into camps and would often be told to dig ditches, which could (and most likely would) become their own grave. I think this picture is important and meaningful because it captures such a horrible moment in the world's history. And I don't think it does so in a sensationalist way at all, but rather in a solemn one. Remembering events like this and putting these pictures up keeps those awful memories alive in a constructive respectful manner, reminding future generations of the struggles and trials of those before them. That's one of the reasons that museums are so important. The Imperial War Museum is uncomfortable and unpleasant. Walking through the different exhibits doesn't make a person feel good about themselves or human nature, but that's okay because it reminds us of what people can be capable of if they let themselves partake of such hate . It also reminds us of the power and impact that a single individual's choices and decision making can have. I will definitely find my way back to this museum.