Britain's Schindler Dies at 106

I know a few of my SharingwithWriters subscribers and visitors are aware of some of my creative writing as well as my how-to books for writers and those who are probably know it often touches on the theme of tolerance. I was raised with intolerance all around me, a child torn between two families, neither one more accepting than the other. So I was touched anew when I learned that Nicholas Winton died at the age of 106 after a lifetime of doing for children what he thought was right at the risk of his own safety and reputation.

I first heard of him a couple years ago on CBS’s 60 Minutes. He saved 669 children from the holocaust. He was said to be “Britain’s Schindler.” Of Jewish heritage, he was raised a Christian. By dint of pure willpower and his own money, he convinced many British families to accept children in danger into their homes; each were paid 50 pounds for the expenses to return to their homes in Czechoslovakia for most were certain the placement would be only temporary. Toward the end of the program to save children, he lost 250 of them who were waylaid and never made it to Britain.

I try not to get too serious or political in this blog, but as writers we are all in a unique position to speak out about what is right. Political correctness is popular right now. In fact, it can be carried so far it becomes a deterrent to clear writing. But the greatest good is not working at trying not to offend but at acting when we see an injustice. Winton was an unsung hero most of his life. Though eventually knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, it was not accolades but a sense of Justice that moved and motivated him. He took action at a time when few believed him or trusted him and many still held long established prejudices against the people he was determined to save. He was so firm in his belief that he broke many laws to carry out his plan.

He will be missed, but writers can carry his torch for doing what is right. 

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 Carolyn Howard-Johnson's new book of poetry, Imperfect Echoes: Writing Truth and Justice with Capital tLetters, lie and oppression with small, will soon be published. She is author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and how to books for writers including the award-winning second edition of, The Frugal Book Promoter: How to get nearly free publicity on your own or by partnering with your publisher; The multi award-winning second edition of The Frugal Editor; and Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers . The Great First Impression Book Proposal is her newest booklet for writers. She has three FRUGAL books for retailers including A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor .