“when it became clear in the course of 1932 that the quota for state grain procurement could not physically be met, Stalin in his fury ordered all the available stocks to be seized, no matter what the consequences for the local population[…] ‘many experienced great difficulties with provisions. There were mass cases of people swelling up from hunger and dying.”
p. xi
Sometime around noon, a group of the village officials arrived at his house. The official in charge, facing Uncle Timish’s wife, announced that inasmuch as her husband had been arrested as an ‘enemy of the people,’ all his possessions were to be immediately confiscated and declared state property. The woman, confused and upset, tried to argue with the officials. She asked them what treason her husband had committed against the people that he should be proclaimed their enemy. But the officials were in no such mood to discuss such a matter. The order to leave the house was repeated. She was also told that she might remove from the house only her own and her children’s personal possessions, such as clothing. Everything else had to be left behind.
By now, she realized that the officials meant business. With tears in her eyes, she begged them to let her stay in the house at least overnight so that she could collect her things. But she pleaded in vain. The order was again repeated; then she fainted and fell to the floor. Her children started to cry. The man in charged ordered her to be picked up and taken out to the sleigh which was standing ready in front of the house. She came to herself at that moment, and sobbingly told the officials that she did not have any place to go. This had been her home for many years. She, with her husband and children built their home.
Neither teas nor pleas helped. The officials only urged her to hurry. The man in charge took her by the shoulders. Screaming, she tore herself away from him. The one in charge ordered her to be evicted bodily from her house. When they grabbed her, she struggled and pulled their hair. She was finally dragged out of the house and thrown onto the sleigh. While two men held her, the children were brought out. A few of their possessions were thrown onto the sleigh and it moved off. Still restrained by the two officials, Uncle Timish’ wife and his children, wailing an shouting, disappeared into the winter haze[…]We never heard of them again.
p.8
“Execution by Hunger: The Hidden Holocaust” by Miron Dolot
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4 comments:
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I'd've thought you'd go with the book title "Harvest of Sorrow." On a serious note, I think the fact that the world mostly ignores those events is a testament to the toughness of the survivors and their ancestors. They don't seem to want or need the world's pity.
I would have went with Harvest of Sorrow, but the library had this one, so I figured I would start with it. I've spent almost $100 on books since I have been back alone.
As for the Advertisment, I will keep it there as evidence of so many things I write against in this long, ongoing letter to you. I think Amber is going to have to get an identity though. What kind of world do we live in when you can't even allow anonymous comments?
and to the advertiser: I will continue to do it the hard way, as I have been.
Its probably Bob anyway...
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