Writing Assignment #3

Sometimes I feel so closed minded, so ignorant of the world around me. Since being in Rome I realize how much I have left to learn. Sure I can spit out some random facts every once and a while. Facts that I picked up watching the history channel for a whole summer. Others are often impressed by my useless knowledge, but really... it has no real significance. Being here learning about the past and the present has been eye opening. I could have never imagined the things that happened on these cobblestone roads centuries ago. There was no way of me knowing that somewhere out side my "perfect world" my family has created for me, people were suffering. Borders didn't exist not in my world. My issues were what cliques there were in high school.. some borders. Going to the Jewish Ghetto on Tuesday taught me so much. While our tour guide spoke I realized how little I knew about the culture. I was almost ashamed. Sinking to the back of the group to listen so no one could watch my shame. How did I not know these things? I couldn't tell you anything about the Jewish peoples beliefs. This made me feel ignorant. During the tour I learned so much, it helped me to expand my own horizons. While we were in the museum is when it really hit me hard. Looking in the last room at all of the receipts from the Blackmailing of the gold, or the concentration camp garb, it jerked at my insides. Piles and piles of receipts, I can almost feel the people rush to find any and all gold in their homes. The feeling of being betrayed, thinking I was safe one moment, and being pulled out of bed the next. The outfit they were forced to wear, in the freezing cold winters. I could feel the draft of the wind, and the itch of the fabric on my skin. It was unpleasant and my body shook with the thoughts of the terrible things they were faced with. But what can I do? There is no way for me to go back and change the past. I can make sure that these peoples suffering doesn't go unnoticed. That I can make a difference. I can prevent these things from ever happening again. The more I can learn about the past, the better I can make the future. This is what I will strive for, I want to make a difference