Anne Frank off limits during COVID-19

May 13

Many of us have shpilkes after two months of mostly staying at home to help ebb the spread of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19. We long to meet a friend for coffee, attend a concert, or simply hug our parents and children.

But let’s face it. Our lives are pretty cushy. Working utilities allow us to shower, stay warm or cool, and bake more breads and cookies than many of us have made in the last decade. Computers, tablets, and phones connect us with others. Streaming services entertain us.

And, when we take proper precautions, we have freedom to run errands or stroll through the neighborhood for exercise and fresh air.

Inappropriate comparisons

Still, some folks have taken to Facebook, Twitter, and other platforms to liken the COVID-19 experience with that of Anne Frank, the young German-Dutch diarist who was exterminated after 761 days of hiding from the Nazis with seven other people in a 450-square-foot attic.

Here is a sample (with original spelling/syntax) of online comments:

“Quarantine is just the Anne Frank challenge.”
“debating on starting a coronavirus journal so I can be the modern day Anne Frank.”
“I feel like the modern day Anne Frank except Hitler is the Coronavirus and my diary is Twitter.”
“At least Anne Frank had a boyfriend.”
“Now I get why Anne Frank’s diary was so boring TBH”
“Who gon be anne frank 2.0 and write a diary abt corona?!?!”
“Anne Frank did this for two years w/no TV or video games. Impressive.”
“ight, imma need anne frank to drop the stay at home tutorial or else imma think she’s lying. there’s no way she stayed in that long”

Then there is this one that attempts to be humorous, but, arguably, falls flat:

Disingenuous dialogue

We’re not minimizing the frustration of online posters who long to return to their pre-pandemic lives. However, it is misleading at best, and disrespectful to Holocaust Survivors and victims at worst, to compare Anne Frank’s suffering with our modern-day predicament.

Today’s partial quarantine is spearheaded by a government aiming to safeguard the health of all its citizens—regardless of race, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender, or other arbitrary demographic details. Whether we agree with federal or state government’s methods is fair to debate, but most U.S. officials appear to be motivated by a sense of fiduciary responsibility.

On the other hand, the Franks, van Pelses, and Fritz Pfeffer were desperate to hide from the Nazis, who targeted them for slave labor or tortuous death just because they were Jewish. The small group was frantic to protect their own lives because those in power viewed them as expendable.

Unfair comparisons

There are other reasons it is inappropriate to reference Anne Frank and the Holocaust when discussing COVID-19:

Anne Frank’s confinement was not a “challenge” in the way modern people urge friends to dump ice water over their heads to raise money for charity, or teenagers dare each other to inhale copious amounts of ground cinnamon for “fun.” It was a desperate—and ultimately unsuccessful—attempt to escape tyranny and death.
Anne Frank didn’t set out to be a published author. She journaled to occupy her time and distract herself from the fear of being found.
Idealizing Anne Frank’s relationship with Peter van Pels cheapens the experience of everyone hiding in the attic. Quarantining—whether alone or with others—is not remotely comparable to living under the Nazi regime.
Questioning Anne Frank’s experiences, even in jest, disparages the lives and memory of everyone who endured the Shoah.
Hitler and COVID-19 are not synonymous. Hitler was a person who chose to target Jews, Gypsies, homosexuals, the mentally and physically challenged, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and prisoners of war because they did not fit his definition of the Aryan ideal. Although also an enemy, the coronavirus is a disease that does not have the capacity to discriminate against some people or grant favor to others.

What We Can Do

Speak out against those who post insulting messages on social media. Report their content as inappropriate and ask platform managers to remove objectionable posts. Share messages that provide verifiable information about both COVID-19 and the Holocaust.

Challenge bloggers, Tweeters, and even yourself to channel artistic energy into something more productive. Create visual art. Compose music. Plant a garden. Decorate a cake.

If you like to write, consider starting your own diary, where you can record thoughts, experiences, and fears about how COVID-19 has changed the way we live. But do not undertake this as a project to emulate or outdo Anne Frank. Make journaling about yourself and your experiences.

And allow Anne Frank to rest in peace.

Tell us what you think

How do you feel about people referencing Anne Frank when discussing COVID-19? Let us know below.

Jeremy Joseph