Introduction
Education is one of the most critical aspects of an individual’s life. It enables people to learn more about the world around them, develop critical thinking and decision-making skills, and also acquire communication skills and interact with others. However, education remains inaccessible to many people, especially during the global pandemic and periods of cultural and political unrest.
The book “The Librarian of Auschwitz” by Antonio Iturbe offers valuable insight into the desire to acquire and disseminate knowledge during the most challenging times in concentration camps. Thus, any individual’s access to education is a fundamental right regardless of political conditions, racial origin, and economic opportunities, and despite the global pandemic and cultural and political unrest.
Education as Resistance in The Librarian of Auschwitz
Preserving Knowledge Under Oppression
The first example from the text that resonates with my own experience regarding access to education is the story of the book’s main character, “The Librarian of Auschwitz.” This story tells about the Auschwitz camp, where innocent Jews lived in appalling conditions and under the threat of death.
Through the real-life Auschwitz prisoner Dita Kraus, the author talks about fearless people who decided to open a school to provide education for children in this institution. The main task of the main character is to ensure the distribution and preservation of the eight books that were available to the camp population (Iturbe 15). Despite the danger to her own life, the girl honestly performed the duties assigned to her.
Personal Reflection on Education During Social Unrest
This example may relate to my personal experience with education. During the active protests after the murder of George Floyd, many schools stopped their activities for a period. In this time of political unrest, children were deprived of the opportunity to learn; however, unlike in the book, this was done for safety reasons.
Racial and Cultural Barriers to Educational Access
Personal Experience with Racial Inequality in School Admissions
Despite the development of concepts of diversity and inclusion, many individuals still face restrictions when accessing education. This problem is related to the culture that exists in the United States of America. As a child, I had a friend from the colored community. She faced significant difficulties when entering one of the schools due to her background. Her racial and cultural affiliation became decisive factors in admission to an educational institution, which still unsettles me.
Discrimination and Exclusion in Historical Context
This example is very similar to the one given in the book by Antonio Iturbe. During the prosperity of the concentration camps, Jews were considered wrong and bad because of their race, which is why they were placed in these intimidating institutions and deprived of the opportunity to live, work, and study (Iturbe 10). In modern society, in addition to difficulties in admission, children may face bullying from their peers, pressure, and stress at learning facilities. For many, this becomes the primary reason to leave school and switch to homeschooling.
Economic Constraints and Unequal Access to Education
The following example, drawn from my personal experience, is the inability to access education due to economic reasons. I know that many people face this kind of issue. Hence, even as a teenager, I really wanted to enroll in an elite educational institution. In particular, this desire was fueled by constant television shows and films that depicted the exciting lives of young students studying at the historic campuses of famous universities. However, I knew that my family could not afford to pay for such a dream due to some economic constraints.
Mine did not live in poverty, but the maintenance of me and financing of my education could significantly affect other areas of life and needs. This economic barrier is particularly relevant for many young people, limiting their access to a quality education. This is especially critical for people from large, low-income families, where this item of expenditure cannot even be considered. This example can be given in parallel with the narrative in the book and the depression of the Jews, which became an obstacle to their education.
Changing Educational Opportunities in the Post-Pandemic Era
Personal Experience
I am also concerned about the limited opportunities my children will have to acquire knowledge in the future. Due to the global pandemic, the field of education has undergone significant changes. Regarding me, during the global lockdown, many institutions transitioned to online training programs. This has become a problem for me, as I have noticed a significant decline in efficiency and quality in the learning process. I became more distracted by external factors, and my laziness prevailed over me.
Following the decline in coronavirus cases, online learning has become an integral part of the primary curriculum. Thus, I assume that in the future, most education will be provided in ways that will affect the quality and knowledge of future generations. This may result from a decrease in the ability to socialize, which is also one of the primary functions of educational institutions.
Evidence from the Book
In the book “The Librarian of Auschwitz,” children in cruel conditions were divided into groups (Iturbe 12). This segregation not only led to a lack of education but also hindered socialization, preventing people from gaining knowledge of the world and understanding their own personalities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is essential to reiterate that education is a fundamental right for every person. Being in the Auschwitz concentration camp, the main character of the book “The Librarian of Auschwitz” by Antonio Iturbe fought in every way for the opportunity to spread knowledge among children. This may be an example that, despite the absence of economic, political, or cultural restrictions, individuals should strive to receive an education and develop their personalities.
In modern society, it is necessary to introduce measures to limit prejudices and personal judgments that prevent people from exercising this fundamental right. Based on my life, I have encountered economic difficulties in obtaining a sufficient education, and my loved ones have experienced difficulties because of their culture and race. Many people have lost the opportunity to gain knowledge and socialize due to the global pandemic or their country’s problematic political and social situation. These examples from the personalities of life only emphasize the value of these changes in society.
Work Cited
Iturbe, Antonio. The Librarian of Auschwitz. Henry Holt, 2017.