Yes... and no. I've learned that, if you give something energy, then it builds in power. The main power of "black magic" is primarily to get you to give it energy/attention.
Just remember... noone can "curse" you without your permission... At least, in the way I've been taught and believe.
Unless I'm misunderstanding your question, it looks like he was helping you by warding off the evil eye. You should worrying next time when he tries to sic it on you, but for now, sleep easy.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.