My name is Richard Wells and I'm the Vice Principal
for International Partnerships at the University of
Aberdeen.
Today, I would like to welcome you to the annual
Holocaust Memorial Day video,
put together by staff and students at
the University of Aberdeen.
This event is jointly organised by the Multi-Faith
Chaplaincy, University and College Union
and the Students Association, and I would like to
thank them all for their efforts in putting this
programme together.
Each year, the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust
chooses a different theme to enable audiences,
on Memorial Day, to learn something new about the past.
Every theme is relevant to the Holocaust,
Nazi persecution and to each subsequent
genocide, and has the life stories of those
who were murdered and those who survived at its
heart, as well as the experiences
of resisters, rescuers and witnesses.
This year, the theme is "Be the Light in
the Darkness". It encourages everyone to reflect
on the depths humanity can sink to, but also
the ways individuals and communities can resist
the darkness to be the light - before,
during and after genocide and other
major events such as the current global health crisis.
Be the light in the darkness is an affirmation
and a call to action for everyone
marking Holocaust Memorial Day.
This theme asks us to consider different kinds of
darkness. For example, identity-based
persecution, misinformation,
denial of justice in different ways of being the light.
For example, resistance, acts
of solidarity, rescue, and
illuminating mistruths.
Increasing levels of denial, division and misinformation
in today's world means we must remain
vigilant against hatred and identity-based hostility.
Rapid technological developments, a turbulent
political climate and world events beyond our
control can leave us feeling helpless and insignificant.
The utterly unprecedented times through which we
are currently living are showing the very best
of which humanity is capable, but also, in
some of the abuse and conspiracy theories being spread on
social media, the much darker side of our
world as well.
In darkness, even a small light
stands out.
Although it needs to be nurtured
to continue shining without faltering.
One light alone is vulnerable, but many
lights together are too strong to be extinguished.
Together, they can dispel darkness completely.
Light is not something we can
easily keep to ourselves, and when we share
it, others benefit.
Light can come from many different sources.
Everyone has different talents and capabilities,
but what is most important is the commitment we all
make to do our best to stand up for those who are
suffering and to confront hate, fear
and prejudice wherever we encounter it.
We can all stand in solidarity.
We can all choose to be the light
in the darkness.
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.
I kept on walking as she threw a stone,
for it was not thrown at me.
I kept on walking past the man who groaned,
as he was hit behind the knee.
I kept on walking past the rundown homes,
I had somewhere else to be.
I kept on walking as I clutched my phone and
pretended not to see.
I kept on walking as the words were thrown, every
insult, every plea.
The wounds they inflicted were not my own
and nothing to do with me.
I kept on walking when the rage had grown
till the bodies filled the streets.
I kept on walking over skulls and bones,
ash and blood beneath my feet.
I'll keep on walking from the things I've known
but refuse to really see.
I'll keep on walking, but I'm not alone.
You're keeping step with me.