Claire Walker Grade 8 The Men in Masks: Moral Courage in the Holocaust Over 7 billion people live in the world today (worldometers). Can one person really make a difference? From Cicero and his ideas on natural law to George Washington and his role in the Revolutionary War; Rosa Parks standing up on a bus to Malala Yousafzai fighting for educational rights, people have made a difference by being a voice for all those who didn’t have one. They had the moral courage to speak up for what was right. Moral courage is not only being the voice for truth-it is speaking loudly when the idea is unpopular and the stakes are high. Examples of such courage are not limited to these four people, as it has been shown throughout history and is woven into the fabric of every struggle for progress. One such example is Georg Ferdinand Duckwitz, a Nazi during the Holocaust. Duckwitz embodied moral courage in one of the darkest periods of history and was a predecessor of those who fought against the price stereotyping sets upon all who wish to use it. Because of his example, later generations are able to have a guide for standing up for good. World War II was full of conflicts with Germany, and Denmark was no exception. After refusing to conform to the Nazi’s harsh ideals and straining their trade relationship, Denmark was occupied by German forces and officially claimed as a Third Reich country. Georg Ferdinand Duckwitz, a Danish merchant, had become a Nazi years earlier and was now a fairly important person in Denmark’s new government. Although Duckwitz was drawn to the “ultranationalist propaganda” of the Nazi party, he was shocked when the New Order was placed in Denmark and sympathized with the Jews (facinghistory). His advisor, Dr. Werner Best, who was giving the deportation order, mentioned to Duckwitz that “[i]f [he] could, within a matter of days, build a bridge over the Øresund so that these people could save themselves in Sweden,” he would (Best). In response, Georg assured Best that “[the] bridge will be built” (Duckwitz). This was physically impossible, and Georg knew it, but he used his knowledge of the order to warn the Jews. Hitler himself had signed this order, and Duckwitz could have been killed or sent to a concentration camp for aiding the Jews. Because Georg Duckwitz had the moral courage to stand up against the order to deport and then kill the Jews, he was able to save thousands of people from their deaths. Years after it occurred, people all over the world recognized that “[t]he Holocaust illustrate[d] the consequences of prejudice, racism and stereotyping on a society. It force[d] us to examine the responsibilities of citizenship and confront the powerful ramifications of indifference and inaction” (Holden). Although this was universally accepted, stereotyping is as prevalent today as it was in the past, and consequences are as dire as they were before, but on a different level. According to Lee-Anne Gray, a doctor in psychology, “[s]uicide is the third cause of death in those aged 17-24…[one cause being s]tereotype threat[s] (Gray). Stereotyping and having prejudices against others can cause as much damage as they did during the Holocaust; that being an extreme example of what happens when judgements go too far. Not all examples of stereotyping are this consequential, but people all around the world are judged and experience negative effects such as “[a]ggression…[o]ver-eating…[i]nability to focus…[and a d]ifficulty making rational decisions” (Kemick). Being silent to stereotyping and prejudices can affect both people today and generations later and harm others to the point of death, as the Holocaust illustrated. Prejudice has a long-lasting effect on people all over the world. Exhibiting moral courage has both personal and social benefits as shown by the countless examples throughout history. In the poem “The Mirror” by an unknown author, it says that “[t]he good you find in others, is in you too. The faults you find in others, are your faults as well…[s]ee the best in others, and you will be your best”(boardofwisdom). By acknowledging and accepting other’s differences, moral courage benefits one’s self by showing personal differences and widening cultural perspectives. Standing up to injustice gives one courage as well and boosts confidence that is used on a day-to-day basis. Individual opinions are enhanced when possessing a broader view and a stronger self-assurance. Over 7 billion people live in the world today. 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The faults you find in others, are your faults as well. After all, to recognize something you must know it. The possibilities you see in others, ar...."The good you find in others, is in you too. The faults you find in others, are your faults as well. After all, to recognize something you must know it. The possibilities you see in others, ar... n.p., n.d. Web. 1 February 2016 http://boardofwisdom.com/togo/Quotes/ShowQuote?msgid=21007#.VtUMF4wrIb0 " Georg Ferdinand Duckwitz - The Righteous Among The Nations - Yad Vashem."Georg Ferdinand Duckwitz - The Righteous Among The Nations - Yad Vashem. Yad Vashem, n.d. Web. 1 February 2016 http://www.yadvashem.org/yv/en/righteous/stories/duckwitz.asp Region " Current World Population."World Population Clock: 7.4 Billion People (2016) - Worldometers. Worldometers, n.d. Web. 1 March 2016 http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/ .