Today I’m wandering to a couple of different places, linked by a young girl who lived over half a century ago. This is Anne Frank’s house, in Amsterdam, Holland.
I did go inside the house, climbing the steep stairs and entering through the secret door to see the rooms where Anne and her family lived for so long. I looked out of their window across the rooftops, across the view that was all they had of the outside world. I saw the little bits of writing on the walls of their rooms, then walked through the rest of the house, past the photos of the dead and dying, atrocity captured in stark black and white.
Anne, as I’m sure most of you know, was Jewish. Her religion demonised by Hitler’s regime, her family forced to live in hiding after being denied visas that could have taken them to safety. Anne had just turned thirteen when she was forced into hiding – she was fifteen when she was found and sent to Auschwitz, then Bergen Belsen, where she died. A young girl who didn’t get to live her life, all because of one man’s madness. 
This photo is of a plaque at The British Library, London. There is a tree associated with the plaque – I’m not sure if it’s the one peeping over the top of the wall, or if it was behind me, as for some reason I don’t have a photograph of it. However, here is a close up of the plaque:
As thunder approaches, may we all hold on to our ideals.
Thank you for coming on this Wednesday Wander with me – see you next time.
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Helen Glynn Jones 
Amen to that.
Indeed. I try to avoid politics on the blog, but lately…
I don’t think we can remain ‘neutral’ any longer.
‘First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.’
… Martin Niemöller (1892–1984)
Different time … same fight.
I would agree, and I think this quote is more appropriate than ever, sadly. As I said to Louise and Sue, I do try and keep this blog politics-free, but I can still make a statement without being obvious about it. And speaking up has become so much more important now. It heartens me, actually, to see so many speaking and marching – it gives me hope for positive change.
Yes – different time same fight indeed. We must speak out whenever and wherever we can.
Absolutely! I mean, I keep this blog free from politics, really, but I couldn’t let the opportunity to share this go by. Speaking up has become more necessary than ever, hasn’t it?
I love this post and know what you mean. I’m having a more difficult time keeping my feelings on certain matters off my blog too, especially when the share is as worthwhile as this one is.
Thanks, Allie 🙂 It just seemed like the most appropriate Wednesday Wander. Heaven forbid I ever have to share my concentration camp pics (not that there are many, I was too distraught to take a lot of photos).