As a Jew born after the Holocaust, I was initially horrified to read this. Then, the more I thought about, the more intiguing it became. Tattooing your grandfather's number on your arm becomes more than an honorific, more than a memento. By continuing to provoke outrage, anger, remembrance and reverence it becomes something else - a work of art.
If you had no direct connection to the number (i.e., if this were an internet meme) it would be slightly horrific. But as a filial memory, and act of love, I think it is both meaningful and beautiful
As a Jew born after the Holocaust, I was initially horrified to read this. Then, the more I thought about, the more intiguing it became. Tattooing your grandfather's number on your arm becomes more than an honorific, more than a memento. By continuing to provoke outrage, anger, remembrance and reverence it becomes something else - a work of art.
If you had no direct connection to the number (i.e., if this were an internet meme) it would be slightly horrific. But as a filial memory, and act of love, I think it is both meaningful and beautiful