Rev. Colleen Irwin

Anne Frank’s Legacy: Why We Must Choose Courage Over Silence

There are stories that embed themselves in our souls, shaping how we see the world long after the last page is turned. For me, Anne Frank’s diary is one such story—a beacon that has echoed through my life since childhood. I was born in 1965 and read it in the 1970s, probably earlier than most kids. I remember being younger than her when I read it.  It shook me to my core. I remember grappling with impossible questions: How could anyone ignore such horror? How could people become numb, willing to look away—or worse, actively participate in such evil?

Looking back, I believed we read that book to truly learn, to awaken, and to ensure such atrocities never happen again. Yet here we are in 2025 — 80 years since her death.  If she were alive today she would be 96 years old.   It feels as if those lessons have been forgotten or subtly distorted. Many of us—even me at times—focused on staying safe by staying “in line.” But Anne’s words, and the actions of those who protected her and her family, reveal a deeper truth: a call to courage, a plea for active empathy, even when it feels dangerous.

Today’s Echoes of the Past

Today, we see echoes of these same cruel justifications—blaming the vulnerable, masking injustice as “protection,” and believing silence guarantees safety. But cruelty is often the goal, a tool to control through fear. Somehow, that dark thread is more pervasive than I ever imagined. We see it in ICE’s actions—detaining immigrants, often legally present, with harshness and disregard for their dignity. This is not abstract policy; it is a human tragedy unfolding before our eyes. Families are torn apart, children suffer, and tragically, many still look away.

One bright light in that story is Miep Gies—the woman who risked everything to hide Anne and her family in the Secret Annex. She was quiet, brave, and steadfast. Miep didn’t look away. She did what was right, even when it was dangerous. But how many of us today would truly do the same? How many would stand quietly and courageously when the world around us turns dark? We desperately need more Mieps now—people who choose courage and kindness over fear and silence.

From where I stand now—as a medium, spiritual teacher, and woman who has witnessed history’s dark return—I refuse to pretend everything is fine. This moment feels hollow because the lessons I believed we absorbed have been forgotten or dismissed. It breaks my heart to see cruelty reappear under new guises. It shakes the foundation of what I understood about humanity’s progress and forces me to confront how easily we slip back into darkness.

We Need More Empathy

I understand that true awakening is not just about personal peace; it is about our interconnectedness. Empathy is not mere sentimentality; empathy is sacred.  With all the cruelty surrounding us, leaning into our empathy can be painful.  Trust me, I fully understand the weight of that pain.

We weren’t meant to read Anne’s words and then turn away. We were meant to carry her story inside us—to let it shape how we see the world, inspire courage when silence feels easier, and demand kindness when cruelty tries to take hold. History is not a story to repeat; it is a solemn warning to rise above.

So I ask you: What will you do with Anne’s profound lessons? Will you look away, or will you stand up, even in quiet ways, to echo Miep’s courage? Because the future is not just a story to avoid repeating; it is a living canvas we paint now with every act of courage and kindness.