With support from the University of Richmond

History News Network

History News Network puts current events into historical perspective. Subscribe to our newsletter for new perspectives on the ways history continues to resonate in the present. Explore our archive of thousands of original op-eds and curated stories from around the web. Join us to learn more about the past, now.

What A Film About Holocaust Denial Can Teach Us About Electing The Next President

At a recent film screening, I had the uncanny feeling I was watching something with critical relevance to the presidential race ― though it had nothing to do with politics.

The film ― aptly titled “Denial” ― explores the repercussions of the Holocaust and specifically, those who deny its historical truth.

“Denial” tells the true story of American historian Deborah E. Lipstadt, played by Rachel Weisz, who published a book in 1993 called “Denying the Holocaust.” In the book, Lipstadt made references to British Holocaust denier David Irving ― who later sued Lipstadt and her publisher, Penguin Books, for libel...

Imagine if David Irving were just one of many truthers out there, casually believing Elvis is still alive, the world is flat and, oh yeah, the Holocaust never happened.

The scary thing is, that is the world we live in. 

We live in a time when truth doesn’t hold the kind of weight we’re taught it does as kids. We live in a time when people can fashion their own personal realities out of bias and bigotry, and it’s not only acceptable to do so, but actually celebrated.

Case in point, the country is facing a first-rate liar and conspiracy theorist as a presidential candidate. The man who could become the next president of the United States is right at home with half-truths and worse ― and his supporters seem equally so….

Read entire article at Huffington Post