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WARNING: This story references claims of Holocaust denialism.
Graduating students at two Canadian high schools submitted Holocaust denial quotes in their yearbooks this spring — and the quotes were even published before the schools took action.
Some parents have been left scratching their heads, wondering how no one at the school noticed and allowed the hateful comments to be published.
It could be a lack of education, but experts say students could also be using vague phrases they are exposed to online in the hopes no one will notice.
Holocaust denialism at West Bedford High School
Neli Shpoker heard about the incident through a parents’ Facebook group. Her son, who is in Grade 9 at West Bedford High School in Bedford, N.S., came home talking about it, as well.
The quote questions the figure six million — the documented number of Jews killed in the Holocaust — then offers a number 20 times smaller commonly used by Holocaust deniers.
“Disbelief that it flew by the committee and was in the book,” said Shpoker, when asked what she thought of it.
Her grandparents were Holocaust survivors.
“It pains to see the rise and the ease that those words are being used and without kind of thinking of consequences for others who read it.”
The school has apologized and recalled all the yearbooks, asking students to return them so they can be reprinted without the hateful quote. In an email to parents, the principal, Sean MacDonald, apologized for the “antisemitic and polarizing content.”
