Anne Frank was 15 years old when she died in a Nazi concentration camp. Yet her words outlived her body. Words scribbled in a diary from a secret attic in Amsterdam became one of the world’s most powerful mirrors.
This summer, I found myself in Amsterdam for Mindvalley U. By chance, my Airbnb was on the street next to Anne Frank’s house. Each morning, I’d step outside and see the same canals, the same cobblestones, and the same rooftops Anne may have glimpsed in stolen moments when she dared peek out from her hiding place.
A few mornings later, I opened the news and froze. The Diary of Anne Frank had just been banned in Florida schools under new book-ban laws. Imagine that. In 2025, one of the most important human documents ever written—the testimony of a teenage Jewish girl hiding from Nazi genocide—was deemed “inappropriate” for children to read.
The synchronicity hit me hard. I was standing before the building where those words were written. Words that survived Anne, even though she did not. Words that outlived war, genocide, and cruelty—only to be silenced again today by politicians who fear truth more than hatred.
And this got me thinking.
If Anne Frank were alive today, what would she say about America? About Israel & Gaza?
What I’m about to share may feel uncomfortable—but Anne’s words demand we face discomfort.
Who was Anne Frank
Anne Frank was born in Frankfurt in 1929. When the Nazis rose to power, her family fled to Amsterdam, hoping to escape persecution. In 1942, when deportations began, they went into hiding in a small annex behind her father’s office. For over two years, Anne, her sister Margot, her parents Otto and Edith, and four others lived in silence, relying on the courage of Dutch friends who smuggled them food and news.
Anne wasn’t just a symbol. She was a teenager—funny, sharp, sometimes rebellious, and always observant. She dreamed of being a journalist. She once wrote, “I want to go on living even after my death.” And, tragically, she did—not through her life, but through her words.
In August 1944, they were betrayed. The Gestapo stormed the annex. The Franks were deported to Westerbork, then Auschwitz, and finally Anne and Margot to Bergen-Belsen. In early 1945, both sisters died of typhus—just weeks before liberation. Anne was 15.
Only Otto Frank survived. After the war, Miep Gies, one of the helpers, handed him Anne’s diary. He published it, fulfilling her dream. Today, it has sold over 30 million copies and been translated into more than 70 languages.
Anne’s body was silenced. But her voice became immortal.
Anne’s words in today’s world
Anne once wrote:
“Terrible things are happening outside. Poor, helpless people are being dragged out of their homes. Families are torn apart. Children come home from school to find that their parents have disappeared.”
She was describing Nazi roundups in Amsterdam.
But doesn’t that sound eerily like ICE raids in America today? Parents taken in the middle of the night. Children left crying, bewildered, abandoned. Different time, different uniforms—but the same cruelty.
Anne also wrote:
“We are chained to one spot, without rights, a thousand obligations… waiting for the inevitable end.”
That could be the voice of Gaza today. Entire families locked in. Starved. Bombed. Denied freedom of movement. Children asking, “Why must we suffer simply because of who we are?”
Her words, written 80 years ago, read like dispatches from the present. History is not past. It is a loop—unless we break it.
A hard, controversial mirror
Anne’s diary teaches us to look at cruelty honestly, no matter where it comes from. And one thing history proves: atrocities don’t start with bullets. They start with words.
Dehumanizing language always comes first.
So let’s talk about Gaza, as uncomfortable as this may seem.
Consider the echoes:
- Nazi leadership (1943): Heinrich Himmler at Posen: “I am referring here to the evacuation of the Jews, the extermination of the Jewish people….”
- Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich (2023): On the Palestinian town of Huwara: “[Huwara] should be wiped out. I think the State of Israel should do it.”
- Hitler, Mein Kampf: Jews as “the typical parasite, a sponger who, like an infectious bacillus, keeps spreading.” Nazi propaganda routinely cast Jews as vermin.
- Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (2023): Announcing a siege of Gaza: “There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel… We are fighting human animals and we are acting accordingly.”
- Nazi propaganda (Goebbels echoing Hitler): Jews blamed collectively for war, threatened with “extermination.”
- Israeli President Isaac Herzog (2023): “It is an entire nation out there that is responsible….” — words widely criticized as endorsing collective punishment.
- Nazi euphemisms: “Evacuation” as code for extermination.
- Israeli Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu (2023): Suggesting a nuclear strike on Gaza was “one of the options.”
Different contexts. Different scales. But the same pattern.
Dehumanize → Justify → Destroy.
Anne Frank’s words remind us: when we hear this language, it is never “just rhetoric.” It is the runway to cruelty.
You see, cruelty always begins the same way: when leaders tell us to fear “the other.”
Fear the immigrant.
Fear the refugee.
Fear the neighbor who looks different.
Fear the people beyond your border.
That is the oldest political trick in the book. And it works—unless we refuse to buy it.
Anne Frank didn’t write her diary so we could cry in museums. She wrote it so we could recognize her suffering in others—and have the courage to stop it.
Why giving people a chance matters
This message hit me with even greater force because, while in Amsterdam, I also had a chance encounter.
I bumped into a young Syrian man who once worked for me back in 2016. At the time, he was a refugee in Malaysia. He and his friend had escaped a country torn apart by war. One had seen his home blown to rubble. The other had lost a brother when a bomb fell on the very place his brother was resting.
Both had lived through horrors most of us can barely imagine. And yet, when I met them, I didn’t just see refugees. I saw brilliant young minds. I saw hope, determination, and resilience.
That year, I had an idea for a new learning model called Quest and needed someone to build the app. These two young Syrians built it in record time. That app became the Mindvalley app—today used by millions worldwide and even featured in 200,000 Apple stores on the iPad.
Yes, our app was built by Syrians. Yes, it was built by refugees who were given a chance.
Anne never got her chance. But when we give people that chance, look what can happen.
This is why I am so adamant about this message. When politicians tell you to fear refugees, or immigrants, or minorities, they’re not just lying. They are robbing humanity of its future.
The rule we must all live by
If there’s one rule we must all live by, it’s this:
The moment a leader tells you to fear refugees, minorities, or immigrants, you are looking at a tyrant.
Do not believe them. Do not reward their fear with your silence—or your vote.
Because fear divides. And division always leads to cruelty.
What the world needs now is unity.
Unity across stripes, colors, races, and ethnicities. Unity across cultures, religions, and especially across borders.
Because the only way we solve the greatest challenges facing humanity—from climate change to war to poverty—is to remember this truth:
We are one humanity.
And kindness cannot stop at the invisible lines of race, religion, or border.
The higher vision
Anne Frank once wrote:
“In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.”
That may be the most extraordinary line ever written. She believed it while hiding from people who wanted her dead.
If Anne could believe in human goodness then, we can believe in it now.
Let’s prove her right.
Let’s choose compassion over cruelty.
Let’s stand up for one another across borders.
Let’s silence the voices of fear not by shouting back but by choosing unity again and again.
Because Anne’s diary isn’t just a warning.
It’s a torch.
And it’s in our hands now.
So here’s what we can collectively do.
Stand for unity. Across color. Across race. Across borders. Across religions.
When you hear fear, answer with love.
When you hear division, answer with solidarity.
When a politician uses scapegoating, vote the other way.
The only way to honor Anne is to prove her right—that humanity is good at heart.
And that goodness becomes real when we act.
Because history doesn’t just happen to us. It is written by our choices—and our silence.
I’d like to hear from you: Drop a comment below—let’s create a conversation around unity, compassion, and what it means to stand for humanity in our time.
1,234 Responses
I love that you are referring to Anne Frank. She was a hero, a victim and a symbol. And I am sickened that her autobiography, her story, had been banned in Florida. I also hate seeing what is happening to immigrants in the US. America was built by immigrants. And I’m thrilled to hear you gave two Syrians an opportunity to build your app.
However I draw the line at comparing Hitler to what is happening in Israel and Gaza. You have sidestepped October 7, and deaths of Jewish people, men, women, children and babies who were slaughtered simply for being Jewish and living in or visiting Israel. Israel is retaliating in a war it did not begin. In fact, Israel provided food, water, medical care, education and more to Palestinians. A Jewish Israeli surgeon saved the leader of Hamas years ago with life-saving brain surgery. Only to have him years later orchestrate 10/7, including murdering the surgeon’s family.
What did the Jewish people do to deserve the Holocaust? Nothing except not look Aryan. Not pray to the same G-d.
What did Israel do to deserve 10/7? Nothing except live their lives in Israel, as proud Jews. They were attacked, murdered, hostages taken. Did Jews start the Holocaust? No. Did Jews start the war with Hamas? No.
Jews don’t say from the river to the sea. Palestinians do. They want and pray for the Jewish people to die. It’s in the Koran. It is not in the Torah.
Jews want to survive.
Hi Vishen, I truly appreciate you as a person, and I respect your desire to express compassion. But I find it very troubling that someone who sees themselves as compassionate can look at reality in such a one-sided way. True compassion cannot ignore the Israeli hostages still held in Gaza under unbearable conditions, the victims of the horrific October 7th massacre, or the millions of Israeli citizens (myself included) who have lived for years under the constant threat of rockets and terror tunnels. Instead of placing full responsibility on Hamas—the group that launched a war of extermination and put both Gazan and Israeli civilians in danger—your text directs blame solely at Israel while ignoring the other side of this war. Compassion that excludes entire groups of victims is not true compassion, but rather a distortion of reality. The irony is that you invoke the story of the Holocaust to preach morality to Israel—while being blind to the suffering of the Jewish people today.
I have been a huge admirer of Anne Frank since I read ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ as well as watching the movie and reading her collection of short stories. She is definitely one of my lifelong inspirations and I immediately felt a deep connection to her. Firstly, she was a talented writer which is what I always dreamed to be, especially at that age. Secondly, the way she stayed so uplifted in her situation and still dared to dream was very inspirational and I do think of Anne Frank sometimes (along with other inspirational people) when I am in traumatic situations to give me strength. I think of the struggles she went through and intense traumatic experiences she witnessed and went through and it helps me face my own difficult or traumatic situation.
I am very grateful for stories such as Anne Frank’s. These stories and many more, have cultivated my compassion. I too have questioned why these horrific things have happened throughout history and continue to happen today (such as Gaza, ICE etc.) and so I became passionate about understanding why. Through understanding I have developed my compassion. We all go through traumatic experiences of some sort and at some point or another most have us have acted in a harmful way in a trauma response (or out of fear). I know I have a ted in irrational, unkind and harmful ways in the past due to certain traumas experienced. And so, as well as trying to understand why other people act in hurtful ways, I also have spent a lifetime trying to understand my own actions too. And, when you can have both understanding and compassion for yourself and the ability to put yourself in other peoples shoes to understand their actions you can step back and give them space. Instead of simply judging or labelling them as a bad person, you can see all their reasons and see what they have been through. A magical thing happens when someone comes along that understands us, then we have a bit of space and freedom to see ourselves ina more positive light. We all just want to be seen, heard and understood. There have been and still are atrocities in the world, but the more understanding and space we can give, the more healing that can happen. The more we can bridge the gaps between all of the opposites and the more we are able to see the valid perspectives from both sides of the equation the better chance of unity or harmony ☺️
Dear Vishen,
Thank you for having the strength to speak out and share this commemoration of Anne Frank, her words and the mirror this holds up to the sad state of affairs across our globe. We are all interconnected in a greater field of consciousness and these apparent synchronicities pop up to remind us of this, should we choose to pay attention.
This comparison of words, acts and attempts to erase peoples’ identities is indeed chilling and it is so important that we are reminded of this perpetual loop of fear, darkness and negativity that can behold humanity. We ignore it at our peril. It is important indeed to address and face up to this controversy.
This is at least the second time lately that an email I received from Vishen has been political in nature. Although you attempt to make a good point, the difference here is that the Jews were legal citizens of their country. Illegals are not. They are breaking the law by entering the US illegally. What would happen if I decided to enter another country illegally? Would I expect to be greeted warmly and provided for by flaunting disrespect for their laws? Let’s get real here. I am not without compassion, but the US cannot take on the problems of every other country. We need to get our own house in order first. As for me, I am unsubscribing and cancelling my membership. People who hold influence over others should be very careful of what views they put forth. It is a responsibility that you do not seem to understand.
Please stick to your own wheelhouse and stop trying to influence voters politically. Most do not appreciate it. Thanks
Thank you, Vishen!
If you can’t speak truth to power as the CEO of a platform that is all about advancing the human condition – for ALL, then we know for sure we are bowing down to the authoritarian regime. Please continue to leverage your platform for good. Right wing “Political Correctness” be damned!
As an older white male, who grew up in in an environment in Southern Virginia, where racism was baked-in, I am grateful that I finally realized that “the problems” were actually not because of “those people”, but ultimately because of the many ways “those people” had been marginalized, scapegoated, downright lied about – forever! Sadly, it was “these people” – the historical bigots with whom I found myself too often going along to get along, but my better angels wouldn’t make it easy. I kept questioning. I kept making friends, naturally, with people different than me. I left for California and accidentally landed in the San Francisco Bay Area, finding a more egalitarian society (though still a far cry from equality on multiple levels), where for the last 3 decades, I have supported justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. It is sad that we humans let fear of others and a skewed sense of selfish self-protection lead us into what our hearts know is not true. We must stand up for what is is right and build together a world that works for all. Grateful for all you do, Vishen!
Thank you for speaking up, for your courage, compassion snd commitment in doing the right thing! We are All shocked at ICE they should be held accountable for their actions. Our hearts are broken to see Gaza people tortured and killed for political gain. May God forgive us and mercy on their killers.
Thank you for writing this, Vishen, and for sharing it with your subscribers. I know it’s a risk to take a stance that you may loose some subscribers, but this is the right thing to do – to use your platform to speak loudly and clearly for what is right in the world for ALL humankind. I wish there was a way we could do more – to effect change sooner than later – because things are going downhill pretty fast. ;(
This is spot on. Thank you for sharing. Studying the Holocaust and reading Anne Frank’s book left me bewildered and shook, in my youth. To witness what is happening now is still bewildering. How can we have “advanced” so much as a species and yet be so primal in our need for power and control. We can send people to space and yet we can’t find a way to co-exist on this planet?! WILD & it’s so OLD. There is a lot of money involved. People are profiting off this: the facilities, the weapons, the entire military industrial complex. How do we turn the dial up on humanity? I’m grateful to have friends and people around me talking peace based economic systems.
In my opinion it isn’t enough to simply read about the way things were and the way things are going now. We need to do something to stop the momentum and nip it in the bud. The question is What can we do to achieve this?
It feels like the politicians on both sides are more concerned with their jobs than they are about taking care of the people.
DJT has the same mesmerizing and persuasive personality that Adolf Hitler did. What is the best and most immediate way to help them lift the blinders that are upon the people who’ve fallen under his spell? Certainly it is NOT buying one more application to put on our phones.
We need to become the change we want to see, yet not one person seems to have the answer as to what that will entail.
I’m doing my best not to feed into the fear and stay calm and collected. Feeling fear gives it momentum and I know that whatever we give our attention to we’ll only get more of it.
So then is the answer ignore what’s going on? I really don’t know.
Vishen, the airBnB we stayed at last year was one block from the Anne Frank house. I had the same thoughts about what she would have seen during her time there.
Thanks for penning this message down.
I almost caved into the fear…
Leaving Africa and living in the US as an international student – just completed my postgraduate studies… and wondering my place is and where in the world I belong? This message came like a warm blanket in the cold.
In spite of the “outsiderness” narrative, I believe that irrespective of where we are from, where we go to, how high or how low… Human beings can only feel the highest level of who they are when they embrace and not repel…
This was such a wonderful, timely read. I’m grateful that I have the opportunity to homeschool my child and that I can ensure she gets access to true history, and to the words of people like Anne Frank. Your story of this experience seems like more than a coincidence. Thanks for sharing.
So many people are deeply thankful for your words. The parallels , the advice, how to figure if a leader is a tyrant. Everything is on point and your courage to voice it is very much appreciated. Unfortunately some people are brainwashed. Do not let negativity, misinterpretation, stop you from voicing what humanity needs to be reminded of…often. Your unapologetic eloquence is very much appreciated.
This message resonates with me deeply. It’s exactly how I feel too, that unity and compassion are the only way forward. Thank you for giving words to what’s in my heart.
Melanie – from Amsterdam
Thanks Vishen for speaking up. We need more people with networks to speak up and help us open the eyes and get back to our humanity.
Vishen, you have the gift of eloquence in your writing. Every word you write is true and strong and inspiring. And I hope it inspires more of us to be caring and compassionate and observant to the atrocities in this world in 2025. And The bravery to stand up against it.
Thank you
Removing people who violate the law isn’t evil; it’s having a healthy boundary. Comparing ICE raids to Nazi Germany is irresponsible and shows no empathy for the law-abiding citizens whose lives and futures have been destroyed by foreign invasion.
There’s no kindness in entering another country illegally, raping the local women and children, increasing violent crime, and fracturing the culture so that a high-trust society is impossible, all while living off the tax dollars of the locals engaged in honest labor. That’s not “unity”, that’s a war-like invasion, chaos, and instability.
Yes, we all need to learn from history and strive to love others; however, we also need healthy boundaries.
Well said
This is one of the best and most concisely powerful messages about this time we live in. I love that you’ve described love as the answer and quoted the most insightful and beautiful words by Anne Frank. Banning books means that free speech is being suppressed. It’s not just the start of things to come. It is already in motion. Bringing this to the world stage, and to me where I sit in Scotland, UK, where this type of info doesn’t travel readily to our news stations. I appreciate your voice of goodness in the world. ❤️
Thank you, Vishen. I was genuinely surprised to see you engage with such a political topic, but your words on Anne Frank were all the more powerful for it. This article was truly affecting…
Such a difficult subject and yet you wrote it so well. I couldn’t agree more, we all have to stand for unity, spreading love instead of hate. We need to look beyond our own doorstep and look at the world instead. It’s a beautiful world and we should take care of it. Not only people, but also animals, nature, … Everyone has his own believe, and that’s fine as long as you don’t hurt anyone. Spread love, joy and compassion, spread kindness and warmth. Let’s act with goodness. I believe that every random act of kindness can create a ripple effect.
I am originally from Germany. Married to an American 45 years ago. I am living in America with dual citizenship. I have 2 sons who have 2 daughters each. Luckily they all have dual citizenship. They are contemplating leaving the US. I am scared of what is going on in America. So many parallels to how Hitler came to power. One small step at a time. Trump is getting old, but Vance might be worse. I do not want to leave the US, I want to vote and keep speaking out. I just dont understand how they can get away with all these lies. I am not worried about myself and my family at this point. We are not black or Hispanic, so we should be ok for now. But many who speak out against him are getting retaliated. At least we have options. I am so upset of what is happening. I have many Republican familie members and friends. They nearly all have become MAGA and are at the same time very very religious. This does not make sense.