What are kapos in the context of the Holocaust, as described in
the book "Night" by Elie Wiesel?
In the book "Night" by Elie Wiesel, Kapos were prisoners in concentration
camps who were appointed by the SS guards to be in charge of other
prisoners. The Kapos were usually chosen from among the prisoners who
were deemed the most trustworthy and obedient by the SS guards. They were
given special privileges such as better food, clothing, and living quarters in
exchange for their collaboration with the Nazi regime.
The Kapos were responsible for maintaining order and enforcing rules among
the prisoners. They were also tasked with supervising work details and
punishing prisoners who did not meet their work quotas. In some cases,
Kapos were known to be particularly cruel to their fellow prisoners, using their
positions of power to abuse and humiliate others.
However, it is important to note that not all Kapos were abusive and cruel to
their fellow prisoners. Many Kapos, particularly those who were sympathetic to
the plight of their fellow inmates, used their positions to help other prisoners
survive. They would provide extra food or clothing, and sometimes even hide
or smuggle prisoners out of the camp.
Overall, the Kapos occupy a complex and controversial role in the history of
the Holocaust. While some Kapos collaborated with the Nazi regime and
abused their power, others used their positions to help their fellow prisoners
and try to resist the dehumanization and cruelty of the concentration camps.
References:
- Wiesel, Elie. Night. New York: Hill and Wang, 2006.
- "Kapos." United States Holocaust Memorial Museum,
https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/kapo .