Never Again

I ran across an article in the Daily Mail today that was rather fascinating. Usually they are devoted to tabloid gossip and focus much of their stories on the worthless Kardashians, but on occasion they do surprise me with something of substance. It wasn’t really about the story so much as pictures, ones taken by Hitler’s personal photographer Hugo Jaeger. The photos depicted the plight of the Jews during WWII. You can see them here. “Plight” makes it sound less than it was. I should have said “atrocities”. As person living in Germany, I have had the opportunity to go see these books that are in ever German family. It’s a family tree going back, I’m not sure how long, to see if you have any Jews lurking in your family tree. How insane! I went to Dachau concentration camp for the first time 7 years ago. It was dark and drizzly, almost as if it brought out all the misery and heartache hidden in the corners and crevices and brought them out into the open. It’s unbelievable. I remember looking at the simple, wooden bunkers where prisoners slept and walking around in the rain – depressing. The next time I went was when my parents came to visit. I got so much more out of it, maybe because it was a nice day. I don’t know. I pored through all of the information available and looked at every picture on display. I had always read about these atrocities, which I always knew was bad, but it’s like a painting in an art book. Until you see it up close you can’t fully appreciate it. I saw photos of people being experimented on, which where hard to look at and my mind could not fathom it. How could any human could treat another human that way? I saw the Brausebad where the prisoners, men, women and children were gassed to death. They were called “showers”, giving the prisoners false hope that they would actually gonna get a shower. Then there were the ovens where their bodies were burned. They reminded me of huge stone ovens used to bake pizza, which sorta turns me off of pizza.  And all these people did was be born. That was their only crime. I saw personal belongings that were confiscated when the prisoners entered the camp, thing like wallets, IDs and photos of loved ones and old film stars long dead. What’s scary is that these were just minding their own business, living their own lives, and then they’re picked up off the street and thrown into a death camp. I can’t imagine the helplessness they must have felt. It’s a blot that seems to hang over Germany and will forever. When I see photos of US soldiers rescuing prisoners, I swell with pride at being an American. To this day, when I go anywhere in Germany, once they realize I am American, their whole attitude changes and they are much friendlier. I’m glad our countries are friends now. A few question remain. How did someone come into so much power and why did we allow it? Will it happen again? I think it’s more of an inch by inch sorta thing and once it’s upon you it’s to late. The idea that it can happen again is terrifying, but hopefully, we will learn from history and we are a little smarter after the fact. Well, now that I’ve done, all I can to bring down your spirits, I will bid you fond adieu. Til next time