h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

There was a film about Vincent van Gogh tonight on Arte, our culture channel. Following it was a documentary about the Wallfischs, a family of musicians:
http://www.raphaelwallfisch.com/biography.html

It sounded interesting, so I watched on.

Anita Wallfisch was a member of the girl orchestra in Auschwitz ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_Orchestra_of_Auschwitz ), so photos and film scenes of the incredible (but unfortunately true) atrocities there were shown as part of the film.

And here am am, deeply troubled once again by the horror Germans brought over millions of people. It makes me cry. I am ashamed of my nationality, although I know this is not rational. At least none of my family were involved in any of those terrible deeds, which is a small consolation.

But when being confronted with Germany's grim past, I want to go and apologize to every single person who suffered because of it. I would love to believe this could never happen again, but if I see all the prejudices and xenophobia, and hatred of everything that is 'different', I am scared.

Oh Bel.

It's hard to know what to say.

I'm only glad I discovered hootoo all these years ago, because I learned that people don't point fingers at me (they did in Switzerland back in 1976, when I spent three weeks as part of a students (or rather pupils) exchange.

I do not feel ashamed of being German when it concerns the past - but with some things that happen now.
But I simply hope, that history has taught a lesson - and we make sure it won't happen again.

(besides - Germany is not the only country that has reasons to feel guilty, if it comes to looking at history)

I know, Tina, I said it wasn't rational. Besides, I think no other country ever killed so systematically, and on such a large scale.

Cheers all. I'm glad there's always hootoo where I can share troubles and joys.

Bel,
As Spanish, I don´t feel that need when I think of the Inquisition, the massacre and abuse in America...
During those days there were also Spaniards who fought those crimes. The same can be said for those Germans that fought fascism, those others that helped ordinary people, even risking their lives... those were Germans too.

It´s the capacity for cruelty of human nature what ashames and gets me down sometimes.

Amen.

I have just this minute finished writing a history lesson.

The students are supposed to discuss the Atlanta Riot of 1906. (People were lynched, it was horrible.) For years, this event was NOT in the history books. In 2006, the Georgia legislature decided it should be.

So Bel, I just asked thousands of students the following questions:

1. Why might a community choose to "forget" a particular event in its history?

2. Why is it important to take steps to remember past events, especially when the events are controversial or disturbing?

People get no points for saying, 'In order to point fingers.'

I wasn't there. You weren't there. The difference, of course, is - you and I have both met people who were there in 1944, but nobody who was there in 1906.

We learn from it. And it's a human problem. There is nothing that makes it a German problem. Or a Southern problem. Or a Scots-Irish problem.

Stupidity knows no borders. Nor does compassion - other than those of the heart.

we might point fingers at the soviet union and china were many more were killed than in germany/austria and the countries they invaded/occupied

but pointing fingers is never the answer

whenever you point a finger three other fingers point to yourself

we may be proud of the danish resistance (and some have good reason to) but the truth is that apparently more danes were willing to fight for hitler on the eastern front than were fighting hitler here in denmark

My personal response to the period 1933-1945 is a bit complicated.

Distant relatives on my father's side, bearing my surname, died in Auschwitz. They were Dutch Jews.

At roughly the same time, my mother, grandmother and great-grandmother were refugees in a nearby town. They were on the run from Stalin's forces, which had taken their country and killed all the men in the family.

The regime that persecuted my father's relatives gave my mother shelter.

But if the Germans are still being lumbered with so much guilt, I'd better take my share of it. Mum's father was a German soldier; he met my grandmother while helping to drive the Soviets out of her town. They only knew each other briefly - but obviously long enough.

I am in no way seeking to defend the indefensible. Rather than blaming one nation or one group of people for outbreaks of inhumanity and criminality, I'm inclined to put the blame on the species homo sapiens. Though I'm a representative of this species, I don't think much of it. Plants are better than people. This is why I garden.

Claudia, it's my privilege to call you a friend. The girl I met so long ago spoke with a German accent, but such good English, and was so warm in her embrace. I welcomed you into my heart then and have had much joy and pleasure from our friendship, including memories (such as the Tower of London last year) which will NEVER fade.

I can imagine how such atrocities make you feel, and there are scenes which turn my stomach as well, but you shouldn't be ashamed of your nationality. YOU have taught me, the daughter whose father was shot and seriously wounded by a bullet in WWII, that Germany is a different place now, full of wonderful people, if you are an example.



P.S.
My son has had kids point at him and call him names because of his Aspergers Syndrome - stupid people who don't or won't understand reside the world over.

Thank you all.

I knew my friends here would respond in a way that makes me feel better, and put things into perspective.
I'm really so grateful to call you my friends, as it gives me hope.

I can't think of anything that hasn't been said already, so I'll just give you this .

Bel, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone"

every major country throughout history has had black marks against it ie: the british empire and "world" colonisation

I am a Yorkshireman, I hate being called english (because of OUR past)but I don't feel any blame for "their" deeds.

history can only record the events, we have to make sure they don't reoccur

one of my many philosophies is:- everyone is my friend, until they prove different

Or, as I prefer to say it: "No-one is going to stone anyone until I blow this whistle"