"Briefly teaching about the Holocaust is an effective method"

"Educating about the Holocaust in a minute and a half is quite effective."

Susanne Siegert operates a TikTok account that aims to educate people about Nazi atrocities. Her content reaches millions of users. She believes that it's feasible to discuss the Holocaust in a 90-second clip on TikTok. Through her videos, Siegert also deciphers emojis and numeral codes that conceal right-wing, racist, or anti-Semitic content. In an interview with ntv.de, Siegert explains how she maintains a balance between the tone of the platform and the gravity of the subject.

ntv.de: Your TikTok account @no.remembranceculture concentrates on educating people about Nazi crimes. Isn't that something that schools already cover?

Susanne Siegert: Initially, I didn't establish the account with the intention of educating people. Around four years ago, I started investigating the Mühldorf concentration camp labor camp, which was in my hometown. The previous camp site is around 20 kilometers from my parents' home in Bavaria. I was astounded to discover this location in the context of mass murder and devastation in my childhood.

You started with Instagram first.

At the outset, I couldn't attract a large audience with it. I was skeptical about how the subject would fit on TikTok. But I decided to test it out. My initial TikTok video attracted hundreds of thousands of viewers. This encouraged me to continue exploring Nazi crimes.

Do we need supplemental educational efforts besides school?

My videos can't replace the school curriculum or memorial site visits. I view my videos as a beneficial addendum to the school curriculum. Schools and memorial site visits are strictly regulated and time-limited. Not every young person is ready to grapple with the topic at the given moment. It would be ideal if there were projects where students could research the topic in their hometowns. However, there's not enough time for that in the curriculum. That's why there's a need for supplementary initiatives from foundations and memorial sites. And since people spent a significant amount of time on TikTok, there should also be content there. That's where I see the advantage of my videos. I can respond to smaller, individual inquiries through my videos.

The AfD is also present on TikTok. In April 2024, they initiated an action #ReclaimTiktok. What is your stance on this?

There are accounts that critique the AfD, and that's essential. It's equally important to present our own topics. I develop my content independently of the AfD.

You have almost 200,000 followers. How do you attract so many people?

My content is low-threshold and at eye level. I don't approach people as if they don't know anything or point a finger at them. I accompany my research and share my thoughts and emotions with my audience. I'm not a lifestyle influencer on TikTok, but I still learn from their approaches. That's why people like to follow me.

How do you know this?

I can see it from the messages I receive. Some users tell me they consider me for specific topics and request me to make a video about it. The exchange has become incredibly valuable. Many topics come from my community.

How does Holocaust education function on TikTok?

I don't focus on the Auschwitz concentration camp complex or explain the numerous external camps or Liberation Day. These topics are too vast. I endeavor to break down the considerable subjects so that a comprehensive understanding emerges. For instance, by discussing how inmates received food. If someone reads that in a Nazi document, that's one thing. But it's an entirely different experience to show explicitly how little bread that actually was. That's the premise behind a video where I talk about the 250-gram bread. People can comprehend it even with limited prior knowledge. I frequently receive the criticism, "Holocaust Education" on TikTok in 90 seconds, how can that function? That works exceptionally well. You must adhere to the platform's algorithm rules. However, we all need to do that.

How can you accurately convey the gravitas of the Holocaust in 90 seconds?

I eschew sensational content. I seldom utilize the conventional images from liberated concentration camps that depict heaps of corpses. Instead, I tell the stories of individual people. I also pay attention to the tone of my language. TikTok is a platform known for the dissemination of disinformation. This topic could be maligned or trivialized on TikTok. Therefore, I verify my sources and mention them in my videos. I always pixelate my sources in my videos. This allows viewers to perceive my sources as reliable and examine them themselves. I typically rely on the two-source principle.

Which sources do you employ?

I utilize authentic sources, like the Arolsen Archives' online archive, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum's collection, or Yad Vashem's databases. The documents from these collections contain the planned and documented actions of the Nazis. When incorporating these Nazi documents, I take care not to use offensive language but instead explain discriminatory terms. Moreover, I inclusively consult survivor interviews to provide a platform for the victims. I dedicate my time to research.

Regarding your question about "Coffee and Cake with a Holocaust Survivor," you feel it trivializes the subject matter.

However, this title reflects common language used by younger generations, which may be why I attract viewers. I'm committed to encouraging people to become more involved with the topic. To accomplish this, I must use terms they also use in their daily lives.

Locating a balance between device-related guidelines and respecting the topic can be challenging.

I continuously fine-tune my approach. In a recent video, I demonstrated the use of the term "asocial." I showed a clip from a trash TV show where the word was repeatedly uttered. Before, I might have evaluated if showcasing this format questioned my own image. But now, I'm more bold. To maintain the authenticity of my videos, I must follow the platform's rules yet never compromise the subject's importance.

Were you acquainted with the symbols and phrases used on your YouTube channel before launching your project?

I had prior knowledge of some of them. The 88 signifies the eighth character alphabetically, a reference to "Heil Hitler." New symbols and phrases are created rapidly, predominantly within right-wing communities. It's crucial to raise awareness about these symbols.

For instance, in a video, I convey the meaning of the comment "Never lose your smile," a sign associated with the SS Death's Head Division responsible for overseeing concentration camps and using a skull emblem with a smiling face. My aim is to inform viewers about these connections.

What approach do you hold when encountering such comments?

I delete these comments since I have no desire to provide a platform for right-wing ideologies. Conversely, I'm open to engaging with people who ask questions or are critical, as long as they genuinely seek insight. However, I have no interest in debating with individuals with recurring hateful or abusive comments beneath my videos.

I've blocked users who deny the Holocaust or question its veracity. These comments are reported to the platform.

Are you reluctant?

No, I am unfazed by such individuals. I believe their bravery is constrained to the web.

At the end of our chat, Renate and I had a genuine connection. I reflected on her advice to interact daily with Holocaust survivors and learn from their stories to better understand the past and prevent further atrocities. Renate revealed that she lost members of her family during the Holocaust, hinting at its personal effects on her. She advised to study history rather than relying on social media, as it is more reliable.

Renate admitted that it's crucial to convey the true scale of the Holocaust losses. I committed to continue advocating for Holocaust remembrance and educating people about this horrific period in history.