California School Asks 8th Graders To Debate Whether the Holocaust Happened

This is an article first Published in Tablet Magazine: > After decades spent in the sewers of anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial, I don’t horrify easily. But yesterday I learned that a school district in Rialto, California, assigned 2,000 8th-grade students to write an essay on whether or not they believe the Holocaust was “an actual event in history, or merely a political scheme.” > > > Put simply, this is the greatest victory for Holocaust denial in well over a decade, if not more. > > > The language of the assignment is worth reading in full: > When tragic events occur in history, there is often debate about their actual existence. For example, some people claim the Holocaust is not an actual event, but instead is a propaganda took that was used for political and monetary gain. You will read and discuss multiple, credible articles on this issue, and write an argumentative essay, based upon cited textual evidence, in which you explain whether or not you believe this was an actual event in history, or merely a political scheme created to influence public emotion and gain wealth. Remember to address counterclaims (rebuttals) to your stated claim. Continue Reading [here][more] [more]: http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/171856/california-school-holocaust-denial?utm_source=tabletmagazinelist&utm_campaign=04b7830439-5_7_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c308bf8edb-04b7830439-207003409