Introduction to: Jake Phillips

My name is Jake Phillips. I am an eighteen year old white male with dual citizenship to both the United States and Italy. I enjoy playing guitar and am a member of a band. I play a variety of music styles from classical to ska. I’m a big fan of the outdoors, and frequently take hikes and biking day trips. I skateboard and snowboard. I’m a big fan water, whether it be the ocean a lake or a nice tall glass. I love traveling, and am fortunate enough to have been able to visit around the world, mostly on vacation, but occasionally for service. I consider myself to be a global citizen, and think that everybody should feel the same way about themselves. I took this course because I wanted to learn about myself, and as a global citizen feel it is necessary to educate myself about the global events that have happened throughout the history of the our world. Part of the reason I felt it was necessary for me to take this course is that prior to this semester I was aware that I had no perception of what the holocaust entailed. In addition, I felt no sympathy towards the Jews in regard to the holocaust. This was not because I disliked Jewish people, or that I felt they deserved it, but rather because the numbers that are thrown around and the voiceless passages forced down my throat did not inspire any emotion in me. I took this course because I wanted to understand this horrific tragedy, and furthermore to understand myself.