Today 69 years ago, one of the darkest chapters in European history began... It should always be remembered what hate leads to.
I think most Germans who lived back then knew what was going on, but were just too scared and too ashamed.
When 69 years ago,
Glass scattered in German streets,
And the tiles were stained with blood.
When innocents were slaughtered,
And the shops were pilaged.
The people knew, yes they knew.
Yet in shame they bow and say:
" Wir haben das nicht gewusst".
Let us never forget it,
What happened that dreadful night.
For evil only slumbers,
In spite of what people say.
Let's remember those who fell,
Gunned down or gassed or beaten.
So no-one can ever say,
" Wir haben das nicht gewusst".
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Written by Phil (6963 comments posted) 9th November 2007 |
I'm not good at quotes, but there's one that goes something like:
For evil to prevail, it only takes good men to say nothing.
I'm sure someone will put me right, but it's close enough, at least in sentiment, to go with your poem. I wasn't aware it was an anniversary today. I'm sure you're right - I'm sure they did know.
Different time, different places, same old shit.
Worthy piece - although, I think you could have been a little more harsh and aggressive with this one.
Phil. |
Written by Phil (6963 comments posted) 9th November 2007 |
Thought I'd do my own detective work. Good old Google:
All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing. Edmund Burke
Phil |
Written by stevetroster (1600 comments posted) 9th November 2007 |
Armenians, Bosnians, etcetera, etcetera. The world (or some sections of it) seem to want to remember only the one act of genocide.
Quote: Money talks and bullshit walks (Spinal Tap).
All the best,
Steve. |
Written by maipenrai (784 comments posted) 9th November 2007 |
Krstal Nach??
It is right to bring poems like this to the fore for unless we are aware of such inhumanity it will go on.
having said that I never seem to hear or read about the 4 Million that are estimated by UNHCR to have died in the Democratic Republic of the Congo due to war, invasion, ethnic tribal cleansing etc etc etc.
makes you think. |
1938
Written by Fledermaus (3491 comments posted) 9th November 2007 |
Thanks Phil.
And I did my math homework... 2007-1938 = 69... I was 10 years off. Sorry if that caused confusion...
I think that for us, who are of the later generations, it's easy to say what people should have done, yet I'm sure that most of us would not dare to speak up in a similar situation. Once things have gone that far, there is no way back... Something the modern Neville Chamberlain's should realize. They may believe in "Peace for our time", but when I see how radicals of any ideology are tolerated in our present day society, I wonder if things won't go wrong again... |
Written by Fledermaus (3491 comments posted) 9th November 2007 |
Thanks maipenrai.
Indeed. We should know in order not to let it happen again. The truth may be so horrible we'd prefer to look the other way, but it is necesary to remember what cruelties people are capable of.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is indeed a good example. The war over there is a direct result of the war in Ruanda, where 2 million people were murdered... And still we let it happen. |
Written by maipenrai (784 comments posted) 9th November 2007 |
don't know about "we let it happen" who is we?
re the DRC the people who let it happen are the Goverments in the area. |
Written by stevetroster (1600 comments posted) 9th November 2007 |
Quote: "This war will be fought on many fronts; we're going to rout out terror wherever it may exist."
George W. Bush.
Yeah right!!
There will be plenty more atrocities for history to remember, ignore, or forget.
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Written by tpowell (105 comments posted) 9th November 2007 |
Hi Maus
sadly very true, all of us are guilty of doing nothing while atrocities are commited across the world.
When all the rivers have run dry
When all the fish are dead
When all the trees have been cut down
When all the fields are barren
Then you will realise that you can't eat money
Tracey
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Written by Fledermaus (3491 comments posted) 10th November 2007 |
Thanks Tracey and thanks again maipenrai and Steve.
maipenrai: You're probably right that that particular war is mainly the responsibility of the Congolese. Yet as they make a mess of it, who could help the people? The main warning of such events is aimed at Europe itself I think. When on TV I see how bald youths with nazi symbols can march through the streets unpunished I wonder... Have we forgotten what happened when the SA was allowed to do the same?
Steve: Of course there are many planned mass murders. Julius Caesar already wiped out entire tribes and today some governments seem to pursue similar strategies. Yet the thing about the holocaust is that it happened close to home and not that long ago. Furthermore it was mainly carried out by normal bureaucrats in what was suposed to be a civilized country. It underlines how easily humans can turn into killing machines.
Tracey: In line with your post, something I once read somewhere:
When they beat up gays I did nothing, for I am not gay...
When they disccriminated against women, I did nothing, for I am no woman...
When they sent away the foreigners, I did nothing, for I am no foreigner...
When they attacked the Jews, I did nothing for I am no Jew...
When they scolded the blacks, I did nothing, for I am not black...
And when at last they came after me, there was no-one left to protest.
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All so true unfortunately
Written by Josie (2847 comments posted) 10th November 2007 |
| All that has been said is quite true. So, if it is only one little thing you can to to change something for the better, do it today. It may only be picking up some rubbish, but better still, give someone a kind smile, for if we all did it, how much better the world would be. |
Written by Fledermaus (3491 comments posted) 10th November 2007 |
| Thanks Josie. That's probably the best thing to do. Things happening in the world can be rather overwhelming for the common person. Yet just as evil never sleeps, good should never sleep either. |
Hi Fledermaus
Written by jean.day (2366 comments posted) 10th November 2007 |
| This is a good poem - and a good idea to keep us remembering this weekend all the bad mistakes that have been allowed to continue because we fear for our own safety. |
Written by Fledermaus (3491 comments posted) 10th November 2007 |
Thanks Jean.
I think radical ideologies are like diseases: They should be stopped before they get so bad it is too late to cure them. Once the Kristalnacht took place, there was nothing the common German could do anymore.
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Written by audrie (454 comments posted) 14th November 2007 |
We all have the same energy, unfortunately, we have the same power to turn it to good use or evil.
I cannot see an end to Man's inhumanity to man. There will always be megalomaniacs who want to rule the world, and it is these control freaks, who can't control their own excesses, who ruin it for everybody.
Why has nobody done anything about Robert Mugabe? |
Written by Fledermaus (3491 comments posted) 14th November 2007 |
Thanks Audrie.
I think you're right. They have always existed and will probably always exist.
Mugabe is a good example indeed. The information we get from Zimbabwe is not much, but for what I did hear, his methods do remind me of a certain Austrian who ruled Germany from 1936 till 1945... Yet Mugabe has neither oil nor intercontinental missles, so I presume he can go on for some time. |
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