Night and Reflections on Human Suffering Makayla Hays 10th Grade

When I realize how far the world has come in the decades of the past, I marvel at man’s ability to efficiently collaborate and make good things come out of teamwork, even through the barriers of the varying cultures in the world, including different languages, governments, and the great distances that lie between our countries. Together, our world has accomplished incredible tasks—from organizing the Olympic Games to our willingness to help after tragedy strikes.

Though much has been achieved, there have been events in history that have deeply dehumanized the human soul itself. Events such as the Holocaust have torn apart a nation, replacing German nationalism with a sick, brainwashed version of Adolf Hitler’s belief system that those who do not classify as the “master race” should be purged without a second thought. When one sees through the eyes of the Holocaust victims, we are able to take a small glimpse at the unspeakable horrors and suffering of innocent people, such as concentration camp survivor Elie Wiesel. In his book Night, Wiesel writes, “Human suffering anywhere concerns men and women everywhere.” We, as human beings, have the inherent, moral obligation to stand up to...