Martin Koby - April 20, 1999
Forced to Leave School
Were you the only one who was thrown out?
Because I think I was the only Jew that went there.
Hm.
I don't know. I don't remember my cousins they were--I know I want--went home by myself or the other Jewish kids. So I think they had more brains than I did.
Think...
They had to, because they weren't there.
Yeah, because they--so they didn't go. When you went home, what did you say?
Well, I came home and uh, told my parents you know, "I got thrown out from the school. ???" says, "Don't worry, you won't be neglected as far as school goes."
Well, they must have known it was a, it was a...
They, they, they, they probably did.
Christian school, so they probably didn't care that much, maybe.
I don't know whether they didn't care. I don't know they understood too what was happening.
Okay...
Let's see...
...did you understand at eleven years old? I mean this is the, this is the first overt act.
Yeah, this is really the first time that I really saw that Jews are out, okay.
Yeah.
I didn't comprehend, but I very upset. You know, it was like--first of all, I kind of felt hurt and ashamed. I don't know which word--which one was--I don't remember exactly which one the first, the shame or the hurt. But I was--I know I, I can tell you step-by-step where I walked and I was very--I felt very badly. You know, it's--you have no choice and...
Did you...
...when you told like that in no uncertain way, I already sensed that I don't belong that--to that school. I never went back. I never went near that school. I used to stay away from there.
Did you cry when you left?
I don't think so.
Hm.
Maybe I did, I don't know. I didn't--I have no recollection of that. I know I was very, very upset.
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