The word genocide did not exist before WWII but is now recognized as a crime by the international community, thanks to the work and determination of a single individual.  Learn about this fascinating historical journey when Dr. J.E. Wolfson, State Coordinator of Education for the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission, presents Genocide Unmasked: Naming the Crimes, Seeing the Faces.  Dr. Wolfson will discuss how the term genocide was conceived and labeled in order to criminalize the offense and prevent its recurrence—with a look into how genocides have occurred around the world, what features are evident among them, how survivors have testified to their ordeals, and what challenges genocides still pose.

This event takes place Tuesday, October 17 at the Downtown Library.  Doors open at 5:15 with refreshments provided by the American Library Association and the program will begin at 5:45.

Genocide Unmasked is supported in part by the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission and the Texas Historical Commission.

The program is part of a series of events presented in conjunction with the Amarillo Public Library’s participation in Stories of Exile Reading Groups for Public Libraries—a book discussion group which uses works of Yiddish literature in translation to encourage teens and adults to think about experiences of displacement, migration, homelands, journeys, identity, and belonging.  Amarillo Public Library is one of only 30 libraries in the United States that earned the right to participate.

The October Stories of Exile title is In the Land of Postscript: The Complete Short Stories of Chava Rosenfarb, translated by Goldie Morgentaler, and the discussion will take place on Thursday, October 19 at the Downtown Library.  The stories in this collection deal with the lives of Holocaust survivors in North America.  A Holocaust survivor herself, Chava Rosenfarb writes from personal experience while creating imaginative characters with their own unique stories.

Join us for refreshments when the doors open at 5:30; the discussion will begin at 6 PM.