According to a new survey, almost two thirds of American young adults do not know that six million Jews were killed during the Holocaust. 

The “U.S. Millennial Holocaust Knowledge and Awareness Survey”, produced by Schoen Cooperman Research, also found that more than one in ten believe that Jews caused the Holocaust, and that nearly a quarter said they believed the Holocaust was a myth or had been exaggerated. The survey divides the results by state, and uses three criteria: whether young people have definitely heard about the Holocaust; whether they can name one concentration camp, death camp or ghetto; and whether they know 6 million Jews were killed. Wisconsin ranked the highest, while the lowest ranking states were Florida, Mississippi and Arkansas. The findings are particularly concerning when considering that almost half of the millennial and Gen Z respondents reported seeing “Holocaust denial or distortion posts on social media” or elsewhere online.

Today on AirTalk, we’re discussing the survey’s findings and what they mean for Holocaust education in the United States. Thoughts? Comment below or give us a call at 866-893-5722.

Guests:

Arielle Confino, senior vice president of Schoen Cooperman Research, the firm that conducted the “U.S. Millennial Holocaust Knowledge and Awareness Survey” for the Claims Conference, an organization that represents Jewish people in negotiation compensation for victims of Nazi persecution and their heirs 

Deborah Lipstadt, professor of Jewish History and Holocaust History at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia; she tweets @deborahlipstadt