“It was standing-room only when Harry Wu spoke at the Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education and Tolerance in December. The world-renown human rights activist who spent 19 years imprisoned in Chinese labor camps for speaking out against the nation’s Communist party inspired the room of North Texans to think globally about forced labor, wrongful imprisonment and human rights violations today.
“Wu now resides in New York, but the Dallas Holocaust Museum brought him to Dallas for several days as part of our Upstander Speaker Series, which brings leading human rights advocates and academics to our community to share their knowledge and research on a spectrum of issues, including modern-day genocide, ethics, prejudice and law. A portion of donations received from the 2014 North Texas Giving Day – the Museum received $15,113 from 87 wonderful donors — helped fund his trip.
“While in Dallas to speak at the Museum, Wu was invited to be a guest on KERA’s Think with Krys Boyd, allowing his message to be heard by thousands and thousands of North Texas listeners. The Dallas Morning News and Texas Jewish Post also covered the event.
“Wu spoke of his imprisonment in 12 different camps, where he was forced to mine coal, clear land and harvest crops. Routinely beaten, tortured and starved, he witnessed the deaths of many of his fellow prisoners from brutality, malnutrition and suicide. Wu attempted to take his own life twice.
“After his release, Wu became a vocal advocate for the rights of labor camp prisoners, and he has documented the deplorable conditions of Chinese prisons for 60 Minutes and other news programs and outlets. He was placed on China’s most wanted list for his exposés on human rights abuses in the Laogai, or Chinese labor camp system.
“A true Upstander – someone willing to stand up and take action in defense of other – Harry Wu embodies the mission of the Dallas Holocaust Museum. Our purpose is to teach the dangers of intolerance and challenge visitors to get involved, take a stand and confront hatred.
“We are extremely grateful to our members, volunteers and donors who support us in our mission, and we hope you will be inspired to stand with us as we stand against injustice on North Texas Giving Day, Sept. 17, 2015.
-By Katie Menzer, Marketing Coordinator
* Photo credit: Museum Staff Photographer