Treating the Holocaust as prototype marginalizes all other genocides

Evidence

As LaCapra (1994:45-7) observes, the Holocaust or Shoah has become the quintessential embodiment of the oldest opposition in historical thinking: the unique versus the universal. Recently, several writers have suggested that the Holocaust is both unique and universal, standing as a “generic term” (Bauer, 1990:154) for a type of genocide that could be repeated (Rosenberg, 1987). In spite of their differences, these positions place the Holocaust at the center of discourses of genocide; insofar as it becomes the prototype of genocide, all other events are evaluated in relation to it (see Goekjian, 1991), seemingly occupying a more marginal relationship to the category. — David Theo Goldberg, John Solomos, A Companion to Racial and Ethnic Studies, 272 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: The Holocaust’s uniqueness does not make it incomparable to other genocides — David Theo Goldberg, John Solomos, A Companion to Racial and Ethnic Studies, 516; The Holocaust functions as the prototype evaluating all other genocides — David Theo Goldberg, John Solomos, A Companion to Racial and Ethnic Studies, 272; Holocaust uniqueness claims position all other genocides as marginal by comparison — David Theo Goldberg, John Solomos, A Companion to Racial and Ethnic Studies, 272 (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• The Holocaust functions as the prototype evaluating all other genocides #expands (0.92) — David Theo Goldberg, John Solomos, A Companion to Racial and Ethnic Studies, 272