Using Commemorative Sites for Refugees

This image comes from a Times of Israel article about Milan's use of a Holocaust memorial for African refugees.  This seemed to be a brilliant idea and one that perhaps could be used in other countries supporting the enormous influx of fleeing immigrants. 

I think this is a wonderful idea. Many of the Holocaust survivors I interviewed for my academic research asked that we please focus  on the Syrian children and other innocent people victims of the kind of tyranny they survived.

Many of the survivors cared so deeply about the suffering that occurs today; they expressed must distress at feeling so helpless. Furthermore, what good did their suffering do, they wonder, if the world still hasn't learned?

I suspect many survivors would be thrilled to know that sites commemorating the suffering of themselves and their families could be used to support those in need now.

Of course, not everyone would agree -- no one ever agrees on everything. But based on my work with commemorative sites and survivors of genocide or tyrannical rule, this is a positive use of commemorative spaces.

Many of these sites seek to be sites of learning as well as memorials to the dead. Using them to support the woes of the living seems like the most magnificent use of the space.

Never Again means Never Again for Anyone...I love that Milan is starting now.