Lessons from The Diary of Anne Frank

Shared in Brunswick, GA on March 17, 2024 and in Statesboro, GA on March 24, 2024 by Rev. Jane Page

The title of this sermon is “Lessons from the Diary of Anne Frank” –the final sermon in my series this year on Lessons from Banned Books.  However, in THIS year – 2024, I felt the need to bring you more than just these lessons that Anne teaches us – especially with the rise of white nationalism – and, indeed, what many consider fascism in Europe and here in America and with a national election that plays on the fears of white Christian nationalists. 

So, before we get into Anne’s lessons, I want to share a little about how her life began – and how all of that changed.  Then question, can this happen again?  Is it happening again?

 

Anne and her older sister Margot were the children of Otto Frank and Edith Hollander Frank. Edith’s family name was Hollander, because, indeed, her ancestors were from the Netherlands – a place where she eventually had to move. What was their life like before the rise of Fascism in Europe?

Both Otto and Edith were from prominent Jewish families. Otto’s family members were not very religious but did celebrate the Jewish holidays. Edith’s family did follow the Jewish dietary laws and were more religious. Both had fathers that were prominent and well-off businessmen. 

Otto had served in World War I as an intelligence officer and Anne was educated and worked some in her father’s business before they married.  This is a picture of the wedding party that was held four days after their marriage. 

They moved into a rental unit which was two floors of a building in Frankfort and had two daughters.  Otto had a successful spice business and interacted with all the community. Their neighborhood included Catholics, Protestants, and Jews. Their children attended special events of their friends held in their churches and their friends came to their home and celebrated Hannukah with them. We would say that their neighborhood and life was a model of diversity, equity, and inclusion – though we could not say that if we were teaching at a Florida school or University.  And later, the family moved to a fashionable liberal area of Dornbusch called the Poets' Quarter, also diverse. What happened? 

As the economy in Germany and elsewhere started sliding downhill – Otto’s business also suffered.  But that is not why they left Germany.  The appointment of Adolf Hitler on January 30, 1933, to the position of chancellor in Germany and the following rise of antisemitism and introduction of discriminatory laws in Germany

forced the family to emigrate to Amsterdam in 1933. Here Otto again established a successful spice business and Anne attended school with non-Jews. But as noted in the story for all ages, they eventually were forced to follow very restrictive laws

and finally, they had to go into hiding for two years before being captured and sent to the concentration camps.

We study this as history that happened – “over there.”  But it was happening in the United States as well. And the anti-Semitism in America during that war wasn’t new.

 

Description:  An anti-Semitic cartoon from an 1892 issue of Judge Magazine. At the right, Russian Jewish immigrants flee the whip of persecution to New York as the waters of the Atlantic part to accommodate them. In the center is a stereotypical Jewish businessman, well dressed and carrying a scroll labeled "Perseverance and Industry." Behind him is supposedly "Broadway in 1892," with Jewish names on every building from clothiers and fancy goods to bankers and brokers. At the left, elegantly dressed emigrants head west toward the setting sun in an endless stream - over the caption "Our First Families Driven Out."

Now while in the Netherlands, Otto Frank was trying to get his family here – but the documentation for them to emigrate was overwhelming – and they were unable to come.  Think of the possibilities for a writer like Anne Frank if they had been able to come.

 

Isabel Wilkerson, Book Caste, Movie Origin - based on the book

In her 2020 book Caste – Isabel Wilkerson shows how the German Nazi’s used the American system of race laws to enable Americans to subjugate African Americans, even though the Constitution’s 14^th Amendment demanded equal protection under the law.  And they borrowed these ideas in their efforts to subjugate the Jewish population and others. 

Though race laws in America did not pertain to Jews, there were many lines drawn in society regarding participation – and it could have gotten worse.

Rachel Maddow recently published a book entitled, Prequel:  An American Fight Against Fascism – which demonstrates that (quote) “before and even after our troops had begun fighting abroad in World War II, a clandestine network flooded the country with disinformation aimed at sapping the strength of the U.S. war effort and persuading Americans that our natural alliance was with the Axis, not against it. It was a sophisticated and shockingly well-funded campaign to undermine democratic institutions, promote antisemitism, and destroy citizens’ confidence in their elected leaders, with the ultimate goal of overthrowing the U.S. government and installing authoritarian rule.”

 

If you haven’t seen the short video – “A Night at the Garden,” featuring a huge pro-Nazi rally at Madison Square Garden in 1939, check it out. You may say – well, yes – but that was then, and as Maddow shows, both the press and others were vigilant in uncovering the plans of these Fascists and exposing and opposing them before they could get any real power.  But what about now!

After Trump was elected in 2016, we all remember the scenes of pro-Nazi young men in Charlottesville – coming out of their closets and hoping to take over with chants like “You Will Not Replace Us” and “Jews Will Not Replace Us.”  What is all of that about?  Although Jewish people were encouraged at one time to attempt to replace those lost in the Holocaust, in today’s world, their birth rates have dropped along with everyone else’s – and they aren’t even replacing themselves. But the fear is not literally about them replacing white Christians with their numbers, it’s the fear that they and other “others” will dominate and replace the number and the power of white nationalist Christians in a country which they feel is their right to have. (Echoes of Manifest Destiny)

We thought when we turned out and voted Trump out of office in 2020, the white Christian nationalist movement would diminish – but the backlash has been horrific. Now, let me say – that I’m not usually one to talk about politics from the pulpit – but these are scary times, my friends.  Donald Trump did not give rise to this hatred and these fears. The dragon was already there with all its fiery power. Donald Trump just climbed up on it because it was the easiest way for him to gain power, money, and more.  And now, the Republican party has turned into a party based upon the fears of white nationalists.  And, folks, we progressives may be complicit in this situation.

Political scientist Anthony DiMaggio's book is titled “Rising Fascism in America: It Can Happen Here.” He points to a number of societal “enablers” who contributed to creating the fertile ground for “a neofascistic political movement” to flower. These include scholars, journalists, the Democratic Party, and neoliberals who, he says, all downplayed fascistic political movements and the dangers of Trump’s rise. One example he cites is the media’s use of the word “populist” to describe Trump, which “helps to avoid unpleasant discussions about the problem of a rising fascistic movement in the United States.”

In other words, we need to tell the truth, sound the alarm before it’s too late.  Too late – like it was for Anne Frank.

Which brings us back to dear Anne and her wonderful entries into her diary which has been published in more than 70 languages. What are the lessons she has for us?  In her well-written journal entries, Anne provides us with a good role model. I used several websites and artificial intelligence to assist me in narrowing down these lessons and finding supportive quotes. Here are seven attributes that can be lessons for us in trying times.

 

Anne is a model of Resilience.  She says: “Where there’s hope, there’s life.  It fills us with fresh courage and makes us strong again.”

She enjoys looking out the one window that shows her the sky with clouds and occasionally birds flying by.  She writes, “Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.”

 

Anne finds joy in small moments.  Though her circumstances are dire, she discovered joy in a sunbeam streaming through the window, the sound of birdsong, and the warmth of hearing others laugh and laughing with them.  She writes, “This morning, when I was sitting in front of the window and taking a long, deep look outside at God and nature, I was happy, just plain happy. …As long as people feel that kind of happiness within themselves, the joy of nature, health and much more besides, they'll always be able to recapture that happiness. Riches, prestige, everything can be lost. But the happiness in your own heart can only be dimmed; it will always be there, as long as you live, to make you happy again.”

Now, lest you think Anne is another Pollyanna story – let me share that she also shares her distresses - including those that come with puberty and discovering more about your own sexual desires. And sadly, that’s the reason given by many for banning her book.

Anne recognizes humanity amid inhumanity. This is especially exemplified in her recognition of the individuals – the helpers – who assisted the Franks and risked their own lives to protect them.  She writes: “Human greatness does not lie in wealth or power, but in character and goodness.” Then this excerpt from the passage we used for our reading today: “…in spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.”

The two pictures on this slide are from the movie Origin – which is based on the book Caste that I mentioned earlier.  I’m showing these to share an example from that movie that is clearly one like Anne was seeing in the hearts of folks.  Isabell’s mother had died recently, and she was packing boxes when I water pipe broke and was leaking – so she called the plumber.  And here is the guy that shows up, wearing a MAGA hat.  He looks at the leak and shares with her that it can’t just be fixed – that it’s an old house and the pipes are all corroded and that it will take a massive repair that he can write an estimate for.  She keeps her head down and is obviously overwhelmed.  She apologizes for her lack of response and shares with him that her she is upset because her mom just died, then she looks at him and asks him if his mom is still living.  He says, no – she died two years ago.  “I’m so sorry,” she says, “What about your father – is he living?”  He says that his dad is living but they have absolutely no relationship.  “That’s really difficult, as well, “she responds.  Then he looks back at the pipe and says – “Wait, let me look at this again.  I think I can repair this for you.”  These two connected with one another’s own humanity – and their common grief.  They looked closer and saw the good in each other’s hearts.  That’s what we need to do more of – if possible.

 

Anne challenges the injustices in the world – and not just from Nazi’s who persecute them.  She writes, “Why is England manufacturing bigger and better airplanes and bombs and at the same time churning out new houses for reconstruction?  Why are millions spent on the war each day, while not a penny available for medical science, artists, or the poor? Why do people have to starve when mountains of food are rotting away in other parts of the world? Oh, why are people so crazy?”

 

Anne recognizes the Fragility of Freedom and the ease with which it can be taken away.  She writes, “I long to ride a bike, dance, whistle, look at the world, feel young and know that I’m free, and yet I can’t let it show.  Just imagine what would happen if all eight of us were to feel sorry for ourselves or walk around with the discontent clearly visible on our faces.  Where would that get us?” Some of us understood more about how freedoms and rights can be lost easily when the three new justices came onto the Supreme Court.  And witnessing an insurrection on January 6 should have been convincing as well.

Although Anne has much good to say about people, she recognizes and warns us about the destructive urges in people that lead to war and the complicity of others who let it happen.   She writes, “There’s a destructive urge in people, the urge to rage, murder, and kill. And until all of humanity, without exception, undergoes a metamorphosis, wars will continue to be waged, and everything that has been carefully built up, cultivated, and grown will be cut down and destroyed, only to start all over again!”

And she writes: “I don’t believe that the big men, the politicians and capitalists alone, are guilty of war. Oh no, the little man is just as guilty, otherwise the peoples of the world would have risen in revolt long ago!”

 Anne realizes the Power of Words. In her confined world, her diary becomes a lifesaver as it gives her a means of self-expression that she hopes to one day share.  She says, “I can shake off everything as I write:  my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.” In her darkest moments, she turns to her writing for solace.   She writes: “The nicest part is being able to write down all my thoughts and feelings; otherwise, I might suffocate.” She also realizes that the written word can live on – even if she dies.  She writes: “I want to go on living even after my death! And therefore, I am grateful to God for giving me this gift, this possibility of developing myself and of writing, of expressing all that is in me.”

And these last two lessons are the ones we may need to focus on as we face the rise in fascism today.  We need to be the people who DO undergo that metamorphosis (Be the change we want to see in the world), speak up or write up our own stories. 

We need to share the truth in whatever ways we can to combat the misinformation and manipulation of those who would have us give up our freedoms, give up our rights, and return to what they felt made America Great, which is the domination of patriarchy, whiteness, and a peculiar brand of Christianity that is NOT what Jesus would do.

 

This young girl left a legacy that is still being read all over the world today. But as the book we read during the Time for All Ages said, she didn’t get to grow up!

Anne did not get a chance to grow up.  But we have a chance to make sure all our children get a chance to grow up.

This sermon was a difficult one to write – because I’m worried, folks. I don’t want to be fearful – but I do want to be realistic in what is at stake here. So yes, let’s enjoy the beauty of the earth and the laughter of one another, and a good cup of coffee after the service.  But let us also remember the other lessons that Anne has taught us. And Be the Change we want to see in the world.

May it be so!