Up to six million were killed. These were men, women, children, and the elderly. Most importantly these were Jews. Count in the millions who were trying to help them and it turns into a staggering number of loss.

Is this where we are heading now? Will the past dictate our future?

The Nazi party stood for German pride and anti-Jews. The Trump (or republican) party stands for Whites only and anti-immigrants.

Why do I bring this up now?

I finally watched the “Woman in Gold” and I’m with Adele Bloch-Bauer; I’m worried about the future.

The story behind this movie is centered around the illegal confiscation of art, land, money, and other valuables the Nazis stole. The primary piece of the movie is the “Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I”. Its name was changed to erase the Jewish heritage.

Look now, is our government doing a similar thing? Yes, just look at Standing Rock. A sacred ground for people and the government is trying to take it and use it as they wish. This needs to stop now.

Let us move for the art to the people.

In the movie, we watch as Maria Altmann, Adele’s niece, tries to get out of Austria. Luckily, she made it to the United States. But that wasn’t the fate of so many others: Ilse Karliner, Margot Hirsch, Erich Dublon, Carl Simon, and Jakob Köppe are only a few examples.

The United States had a ban during that time to deny access for immigrants. Therefore, we (The United States of America) sent people to their deaths instead of an opportunity for life. Look today, we are doing the same thing. Families have been torn apart. Children are being denied medical treatment. Students are having to put their education on hold because they can’t get to classes, much less back in the country.

Why are we repeating the past? How did we get here?

Trump became president because he has followers who believe they are superior to others. Hitler did the same. Hitler’s followers allowed innocent people to die because they wouldn’t stand up and say this is wrong. So, ask yourself are you a Nazi?