In Hitler

            
            
             "In Hitler's Defense": The name jump out at me the first time I opened When Falls the Coliseum. What defense could possible justify Adolph Hitler's actions throughout his life? This essay however, written by Robert O"Hara, was far from the exaggerated version I had conjured up in my mind. Although this essay was not particularly effective in its content, the format was especially effective in grabbing my attention. O"Hara began his essay with two stories. This format, of beginning an essay with a personal experience, is an excellent format; especially for an essay following such a controversial title and trying to tackle such a potent subject as racism. .
             O"Hara's personal encounter told of receiving a dirty look from a sales clerk when asking for Mein Kampf in a book store. I was taken aback by the ignorant attitude O"Hara portrayed the clerk to have displayed in response to an interest in one of the most important books of the 20th century. This book, in my opinion, should be a part of every high school curriculum around the world. If this book were used as a tool for learning it would aid us in our fight against racism/anti-Semitism but if we continue to deny people access to it, we are giving the book power as a tool for oppression. O"Hara says this is "the power of taboo" (p75). I say, "the power of ignorance".
             The second story however, took my breath away. O"Hara told the story of how former Cincinnati Reds owner, Marge Schott, was run out of baseball for a "controversial" remark stating that Hitler was an effective leader. The problem with this story is that Hitler was an effective leader. This does not mean he was right, moral, or that he was justified. The fact of Hitler's effectiveness is not a something to be ignored or shunned away like a dirty word; this is something we must learn from. Ten million lives were lost under Hitler's reign of power. His effectiveness as a leader brought out the worst in people, a fact most of us would sooner forget than deal with.