Julio was an easygoing, reliable line cook, who never caused me trouble. I was managing at the second best job in my career and was always happy to see him. Usually he had the morning/afternoon shift, while I did nights, and we’d speak briefly during the turn over.

He was from Mexico, did weed, and despite being 45 enjoyed skateboarding. Julio never uttered one racial slur or said anything bad about anyone! By that point in my career, 12 years in, I was very guarded and distrustful of most industry people. But I always liked, trusted, and enjoyed talking to Julio.

Let me be clear: He wasn’t anti-semitic or mean spirited at all. He wasn’t a standard holocaust denier; 99.9% of who are hateful, racist, insult history, and are generally unpleasant. Julio just didn’t think it happened, there was no political or ideological slant involved. 

Before you judge him most young people don’t even know what the holocaust is. At my most charitable I believe most 18-40 year olds knows 1-3 facts about it. So many people also believe absurd conspiracy theories, and it’s gotten to the point that evidence, sources, and facts aren’t respected or needed to… I’ll stop this rant now. Sorry, history is 80% of my life. 

***

I’m not sure how the subject was broached. It was likely about a history book and our talk turned to World War 2. Julio had spent most of his life in Mexico and said most Mexicans didn’t care about World War 2. He even suggested much of the criticism against Hitler was western propaganda. He didn’t say this in a mean, emotional, or lecturing way that many critics of the West do. Obviously, I didn’t agree with his positions but I knew the bad western record of imperialism against China, Africa, and Latin America, so I didn’t fault him for having a… different perspective.

I listened patiently until Julio said he didn’t think the holocaust happened. Again, he never said anything bad about Jews or advance a conspiracy theory. He just thought the holocaust was western propaganda. 

I’ve learned it’s best to be mostly tolerant and easygoing when hearing absurd or offensive things when bartending. There’s no safe spaces in bars, I don’t believe in censorship, and it’s not a gentle industry. Be a beekeeper if you don’t like personal conflict or offensive words. At least when you get stung by a bee you won’t take it personal and share it on social media.

It was rare when I took an inflexible position in a conversation, went all-in during a debate, or got harsh with people over controversial topics. Or maybe I have a selective memory… I’ve probably pissed off more people at my bartop over the years than a SJW at wrestling match.

But this was one of those times I took a principled stand. Mostly because the holocaust was an uniquely horrible event, I was history lover, and I saw the concentration camps myself! 

However, if you think I insulted or got emotional with Julio, you’re mistaken. He was always a kind, fair, and decent man. Plus, unless someone was being an obnoxious, loud, asshole in my bar, I never got aggressive with them. 

Instead, I spoke to him as a human being and laid out my case. During my 3 minute historical rant Julio never interrupted me. He was polite, listened intently, and weighed everything I said.

I can’t remember what I said first. But it started with something like “no, no, no, trust me, the holocaust actually happened.”

I’m sure I cited things like Nazi Germany, like all dictatorships, documented everything (even their crimes). That most Germans knew about the holocaust, based on letters, diaries, working at the death camps, and even news reports (google it). That the remaining holocaust survivors, who had numbers tattooed onto their arms (again the Nazis documented everything) weren’t part of some crazy conspiracy. I said all of this in a calm, earnest tone.

Then I told him about my visits to holocaust museums and when I went to the Buchenwald concentration camp. I’ve drank too much in life but that was a sobering experience. Twenty years later my stand out memories were of yellow buildings, of being angry at local students screwing around at such a place, and the basement with hooks where they hung… human beings.

The horrible things people can do to other human beings… the things some people can live with! I wouldn’t wish such cruelty on people who have hurt me the most.

***

I delivered my historical plea and ended it with something like this: 

“I saw the camps… the gas chambers and ovens existed. I saw photos of Jews and others that documented their terrified expressions. I saw the luggage, clothes, and personal items from the inmates; that the Nazis stole, documented, and stored in massive rooms. I even saw the TEETH: The teeth with golden crowns the Nazis extracted from victims to gain every small benefit. What kind of godless, evil movement gasses people and steals gold from their teeth?”

Again, I stress this was a civil, even easygoing chat between colleagues. After I finished my diatribe there was silence for a few seconds. When you debate themes that provoke strong historical feelings a few seconds can last a lifetime. 

But 6 years later I remember Julio turning his head in contemplation. He looked backed at me, smiled, and said “interesting, I’ll think about it.” Our conversation soon ended and we bid farewell in a friendly manner.

We never discussed it again and our relationship didn’t change. I’ll never know if I changed his mind. But I know you don’t change minds by lecturing, insulting, or yelling at people.

It’s amazing how a 5 minute conversation can make you think so long and hard for years later. What if he had called in sick, or what if I had come in late that day? We wouldn’t have had this unforgettable conversation. But in the end the what ifs don’t matter. History ultimately isn’t about what ifs but what dids. You’re allowed to wonder and have opinions, but that doesn’t change what happened, no matter how terrible.