Forgetting Hiroshima, remembering Auschwitz

Auschwitz and Hiroshima are remembered differently despite their shared criminal legacies. This study reveals that while Auschwitz is universally recognized as a symbol of Nazi atrocities, the bombing of Hiroshima remains controversial, with its justifications often overlooked in public memory. By comparing two exhibitions—one on Hiroshima at the Smithsonian and another on Wehrmacht crimes—the research demonstrates how different societies grapple with shame and guilt over their pasts. The analysis highlights the political and ethical debates surrounding these exhibitions, showing that the criminality of Auschwitz is widely acknowledged, whereas Hiroshima's remains contentious.

Neiman, S. (2015). Forgetting Hiroshima, remembering Auschwitz. Thesis Eleven, 129(1), 7–26. https://doi.org/10.1177/0725513615592977