Dear Mr. Bartley,

As you will see in this report, I did extensive research on the Wannsee Conference to understand the Nazis’ positions. I did not, however, do it from their points of view, but as myself—Daniel. Everything I learned about the Nuremberg Laws and Nazi Germany’s political ideas and military was based on false science, a quest for power, and oppression and discrimination. The Nazi mentality of hate is not something I can relate to nor do I ever want to.

How was it that a society was brainwashed to believe such lies? Where is human decency?

This assignment specifically targeted the Jewish people. But under Hitler’s Germany, people with disabilities were murdered, homosexual men were murdered, people of color were murdered, the Roma were murdered, and so many more. If I had lived in Germany under Hitler, I would have been arrested. I would have been put in a concentration camp, humiliated and forced to wear a pink inverted triangle, experimented on, tortured and tormented, murdered. My uncle, who became a quadriplegic after a horrible car accident, would have been euthanized under Hitler’s leadership. He would have been perceived not as a person, but as a thing adding no value to society.

You’ve opened my eyes, Mr. Bartley. I’ve had nightmares from the gruesome descriptions of the torture, bolted awake because I saw myself in a concentration camp wearing that pink inverted triangle.

This knowledge, however, has also fortified me.

People are not born to hate, they’re taught to hate, and I won’t be a part of that. I cannot, I will not, I choose not to argue in favor of hurting or murdering the Jewish people. Therefore, I will not attend or participate in the debate. Whatever you need from me, including a note from my parents to excuse my absence, I will make sure you receive it.

Daniel

Daniel sat on the sidelines and watched as Cade and Logan fought to get the debate canceled. Now, according to Logan, Mr. Bartley has asked them to trust him and attend tomorrow’s class? No. There is no way Daniel will ever listen to that debate.

Chapter 62: Mason

Monday, 7:08 a.m.

Mason sits across from Principal McNeil, waiting for him to respond. His cell phone rests on Principal McNeil’s desk. He itches to pick it up and tuck it back into his pocket. Mason has already played the audio recording of Reg’s rant three times and sworn that it’s authentic.

Folding his hands over his stomach, Principal McNeil leans back in his chair, sighs deeply. “Why now?” he asks. “Why come forward when your team is going to play in the state semifinals next week?”