Balkan Quote by Shalom Auslander
““What’s the harm in forgetting? What does remembering do? Kugel had read that the war in the Balkans was referred to as the War of the Grandmothers; that after 50 years of peace, it was the grandmothers who reminded their offspring to hate each other, the grandmothers who reminded them of past atrocities, of indignities long gone. Never forget! shouted the grandmothers. So their grandchildren remembered, and their grandchildren died.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview excerpt, 2020
Forgetting erases lessons, but remembering can fuel cycles of hatred if used to incite revenge.
In simple terms: Memory can heal or harm depending on purpose.
Key Takeaway
Use memory to build empathy, not vengeance.
Themes
memory
generational trauma
revenge
forgiveness
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- family gatherings
- educational curricula
- peacebuilding workshops
Key Concepts
psychology
history
social dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies honor past suffering without fostering hatred?
- What practices turn remembrance into reconciliation?
A Different Perspective
Remembering without context can perpetuate conflict.
