David Hogg’s book title angers Holocaust survivors and relatives
Student-turned-activist David Hogg has written a book about the Parkland, Florida school shooting and his anti-gun movement. However, its title ‘Never Again’ has angered Holocaust survivors and their relatives.
Hogg’s book charts the rapid growth of the movement, including the “March for Our LIves” rally that saw a reported 500,000 anti-second amendment protesters descend on Washington, DC. The book’s title borrows a phrase traditionally used in remembrance of the Holocaust.
Hogg and his sister Lauren announced the book’s launch in a pair of tweets on Wednesday. The announcement comes just two days before the planned nationwide school walkout protest –on April 20– in support of tougher gun control measures.
Today @lauren_hoggs and I are announcing our book #NeverAgain that tells the story of the foundation of this movement for those we lost. Lauren and I will be using the money made from the book to help heal the community. #NeverAgain out June 5th https://t.co/Vh2gWVWNGq
— David Hogg (@davidhogg111) April 18, 2018
Announcing #NeverAgain, a book by @davidhogg111 and I that tells the story of how we turned our grief into action and how we fight and speak out for those who no longer can. All proceeds going to healing Parkland and to prevent gun violence. Coming out June 5th.
— Lauren Hogg (@lauren_hoggs) April 18, 2018
Some Twitter users saw Hogg’s use of the phrase as cheapening the Holocaust, though.
“Of all the titles you could have chosen,” read one tweet. “Stealing NEVER AGAIN from the Holocaust? Are you kidding? Five million lost souls and their descendants are not pleased.”
Of all the titles you could have chosen, stealing NEVER AGAIN from the Holocaust? Are you kidding? Five million lost souls and their descendants are not pleased. pic.twitter.com/LKMW08gULG
— Douglas Cogan (@DCCogan) April 18, 2018
I know he’s really into walking out of class, but @davidhogg111 knows the difference between a shooting, and the Holocaust, right? https://t.co/Od8bYmIpMPpic.twitter.com/HwnaF48GVE
— Harry Khachatrian (@Harry1T6) April 19, 2018
David Hogg borrows the phrase "never again" from Holocaust survivors in order to to justify a gun confiscation plan borrowed from Hitler. Don't tell me you did Nazi this one coming. https://t.co/DenMJJskWI
— Mike S. Adams (@MikeSAdams) April 19, 2018
I have soooooo many problems with politicizing the phrase #NeverAgain. It’s a term used to memorialize the Holocaust (and, to a lesser extent, to memorialize the victims of the September 11th attacks). It is deeply gross to use that phrase to push for a divisive political agenda. https://t.co/vr2utXER8h
— Jerry Dunleavy (@JerryDunleavy) April 18, 2018
Hogg has been relentless in calling for strict gun control since the Parkland tragedy in February. In addition to helping organize the “March for Our Lives” protest, he has publicly called for boycotts against Fox News’ Laura Ingraham and against banks that lend to weapons manufacturers and retailers.
The book describes itself as “a manifesto for the movement begun that day, one that has already changed America–with voices of a new generation that are speaking truth to power, and are determined to succeed where their elders have failed.”
According to Hogg, the proceeds of the book will be used to “help heal the community.” The publisher will make a donation to Everytown for Gun Safety, an anti-gun action fund set up by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
An earlier attempt at promoting gun-control armbands using the hashtag #NeverAgain backfired on the Hoggs, after actor James Woods blasted it on social media as tone-deaf. Lauren deleted the tweet and apologized.
Parkland High School DNC Activist Lauren Hogg Deletes Tweet After James Woods Schools Her on History of Armbands https://t.co/5jWcsrisWbpic.twitter.com/GAlbNrF7G5
— Chuck Woolery (@chuckwoolery) March 11, 2018
“You might have a little trouble getting Jewish Americans to embrace this look,” Woods tweeted. “Do you have some shiny jackboots and brown shirts to go with it? Guessing maybe you skipped history class while you were shilling for the DNC.”