“It is an interesting time to think about how these two days are established to remember and honor separate histories, but in so many ways, separate histories that are so interconnected, that have so many shared themes and shared lessons.” — Kevin Aldridge
Recorded between MLK Day and International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the episode explores how the fight against Nazi racial ideology abroad and the struggle for civil rights at home are deeply linked.
Dan shares his father’s remarkable World War II story: serving as a white officer in an all-Black Army unit that helped liberate Dachau, witnessing the extreme results of the Nazis’ racism and hate. But he also realized his troops were fighting racism at home. This episode challenges listeners to stretch their perspective, step into discomfort, and see how real change has always come from connection, courage, and action—not just good intentions.
This episode is part of the Cynthia & Harold Guttman Center for Storytelling. Subscribe here https://www.youtube.com/@holocaustandhumanity
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Episode Resources
Hear more about Dan Hurley’s experiences writing his book
Buy the book Crossing Borders, Expanding Boundaries
In person at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Rookwood Commons, Cincinnati
Or online at Amazon
Visit the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center in person in historic Union Terminal or online at
https://www.holocaustandhumanity.org/
Get tickets for the landmark exhibition Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away.
At Cincinnati Museum Center until April, 2026
https://www.holocaustandhumanity.org/auschwitz-not-long-ago-not-far-away/
How the Nazis were influenced by U.S. Jim Crow laws
Double V campaign during WWII
https://www.nps.gov/people/james-gratz-thompson-originator-of-the-double-v-campaign.htm
Medgar Evers’ recognition for his service in WWII, in a quartermaster unit like Irwin Hurley led
https://news.va.gov/109033/veteranoftheday-army-medgar-evers/
Articles related to this episode
https://lamag.com/guest-column/cycling-through-history-on-international-holocaust-remembrance-day/
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/bernice-king-why-dr-king-233522155.html
https://communityjournal.net/op-ed-by-ben-jealous-we-must-finish-the-work-dr-king-died-doing/
https://www.expressnews.com/opinion/commentary/article/january-mlk-jr-remembrance-21291279.php
