Today is Anne Frank's birthday - she would be turning 95 years old.

Today is Anne Frank's birthday.
If she was alive, she would be turning 95 years old.

Anne Frank, known for her diary in which she documents her experiences as a Jewish girl during the Holocaust, continues to have immense significance today. She is not only the personified memory of the approximately six million Jews who died under National Socialism, but she also serves as a teacher for the current and future generations.

Even today, Anne Frank represents the voice of the innocents who were silenced by war and persecution. We associate her documented everyday life in hiding with the cruelty of the Holocaust, which mostly took place behind the scenes of public life. She lived like any other young girl, filled with dreams and hopes - a normality that was brutally crushed by the abhorrent ideologies and actions of the Nazis. Her story reminds us to stand against all forms of racism, anti-Semitism, and intolerance.

Despite her tragic fate, Anne Frank also portrays an inspiring resilience and often unshakeable optimism. She believed in the inherent goodness of people, even in the darkest times. This message is particularly valuable in today's often polarized and torn world.

Finally, Anne Frank also reminds us of the importance of openness and tolerance. Her diary, which she named "Kitty" and considered her closest confidante, is an example of the extraordinary courage of a girl to express her full humanity, with all her fears, hopes, disappointments, and yearnings.

Anne Frank's story keeps the memory of the Holocaust alive and urges us never to forget and always to maintain vigilance against injustices and discrimination. She exemplifies the spirit of resistance and clarity that we should all carry within us to create a better and more just world. Her significance today is universal and timeless.

The political shift in these days

With the political shift to the right observed in Germany and many parts of the world, the significance of Anne Frank gains new relevance. Her story serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of hatred, anti-Semitism, xenophobia, and intolerance - all attitudes that unfortunately are finding an increasing place in our society again.

Anne Frank's life story vividly demonstrates where a society drifts that tolerates and promotes hatred and intolerance. It reminds us that it is our duty as citizens to resist the desire for oversimplification and scapegoat politics by consciously pursuing in-depth knowledge and understanding.

Anne Frank resisted the oppression and hatred she was subjected to with dignity, compassion, and humanity. She still believed in the goodness of people, even when she found herself in the face of great danger and injustice. Her story is a call to action for all of us, at any time and in any place, to stand up against injustice, hatred, and intolerance.

In a time when populist currents and xenophobic slogans are on the rise, remembering Anne Frank's fate is more necessary than ever. It stands as a cautionary example of where the loss of humanity, tolerance, and respect can lead.

Democracy and human rights are never a given; they need constant defense and preservation. Remembering Anne Frank and her courage in the face of oppression and death is an effective weapon in the fight against the emerging wave of right-wing radicalism and hatred. By keeping her memory alive, we can help prevent a repeat of the darkest times in our history.

Closing Thoughts

I will close my thoughts with one of Anne Frank's profound quotes from her diary:
“In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.”

Morality and dignity is an innate human quality. Despite all the experiences of genocide and atrocities of all kinds accumulated over generations, the inherent goodness in human beings always remains.

Every newborn, every human being, every individual has the innate qualities of righteousness, truthfulness, love and compassion. All the false and unfounded beliefs and practices imposed on us by society cannot eliminate the existential goodness inherent in human nature.