I can’t say there was much I didn’t already know as I took a guided tour of Auschwitz Birkenau… but wow, does being there pack an emotional punch to the gut.

It’s been almost 50 years since it was first suggested to me that if the chance comes along, I should make the visit. The nearest thing we will know to the gates of hell.

In all of those years, I’ve been dumbfounded when I hear of holocaust deniers and the unbelievable nonsense perpetrated by conspiracy theorists. The Nazis tried and failed to cover up their own evil…

There is no way conspiracy nut jobs should be given any space for their lies and disinformation to cover over the truth. I’m more convinced that conspiracy theorists were deliberately created so that those of us who have a brain shouldn’t become complacent! The right wing thugeratti just happen to be their main way of communicating their message of fear. Sometimes… the truth is far more terrifying.

Until we speak again, today’s visit only showed me even more strongly what happens when you ride roughshod over diversity, equity, and inclusion. Wake up, world, the lesson has yet to be learned!