Flags of Memory

                These flags, however, are far from trying to elicit any spring-like feelings. Rather than represent life, they are symbols of death. They are symbols of those lost in the Holocaust.

                Every year during Genocide Awareness Week, the group Never Again!—DU students who raise attentiveness about genocide—place the 2,500 flags on the campus green to represent victims of the largest mass-genocide in history. The flags’ different colors each represent various groups, ethnicities or nationalities that were killed during the Holocaust.  

                Being placed in the center of DU’s campus, it is practically impossible for students not to notice the garden of flags. What caught my attention, though, was how easily so many flags in such a central location—and with such a powerful meaning—could be ignored by so many people.

                While I’m optimistic that many students have stopped throughout the week to notice the flags and read the description, I did not witness any others take a moment to observe the memorial while I was. People simply walked on by, giving nothing more than the occasional glance. Maybe I’m being too harsh—people are busy and rarely stop for anything when trying to get from point “A” to point “B”—but I just had a feeling that not many seemed to even care.

                But hey, I’m no saint either: I’ve walked by the Holocaust flags countless times since they’ve been up in my four years here. I have, though, given a bit of thought towards what the memorial represents—and I think that might be the message Never Again! is trying to share with everyone. No, the Holocaust flags don’t really make people stop to pay respect towards those lost during that horrible tragedy. But yes, they do make people think about it; even if it’s only for a few seconds. Even if people want to care or not. In a time of year where we are surrounded by growth, the flags serve as a reminder of what we lost.

                After all, being reminded about something so powerful is better than not remembering at all.