This morning, very early, I suddenly woke up and my first thought was Sophie Scholl and the White Rose. I have absolutely NO idea why they came to mind. Years ago I read a few books about the White Rose (in German: Die Weisse Rose) and was completely fascinated with them.
From Wikipedia:
White Rose (German: die Weiße Rose) was a non-violent resistance group in Nazi Germany, consisting of a number of students from the University of Munich and their philosophy professor. The group became known for an anonymous leaflet campaign, lasting from June 1942 until February 1943, that called for active opposition to German dictator Adolf Hitler’s regime. Six members, the core members, of the group were arrested by the Gestapo, convicted and executed by beheading in 1943. The text of their sixth leaflet was smuggled out of Germany through Scandinavia to England, and in July 1943 copies of it were dropped over Germany by Allied planes, retitled “The Manifesto of the Students of Munich.” Today, the members of the White Rose are honored in Germany as great heroes who opposed the Third Reich in the face of deadly danger for such resistance.
They were young students in their early 20s. They were Germans. They opened their eyes and saw what was going on in Germany. They could not sit still and do nothing. They knew that they were risking their lives and that they could be severely punished. Yet they still acted. In the end, they were caught and executed.
When I read about them, I kept thinking about the psychology of resistance and civil courage. What makes some people stand up, resist, speak up, fight, hide someone, help someone…and what makes others close their eyes or look the other way. In Nazi-Germany (and France, Belgium, Holland, Poland, Hungary and other countries…) there were such people. I am here today because of such people.
But there weren’t enough.
I think of Raoul Wallenberg, another human being who risked his life to save Jews. He was a Swedish humanitarian sent to Budapest, Hungary under diplomatic cover to rescue Jews from the Holocaust. He saved thousands.
In researching these people, still today I ask myself this question: what would I have done, had I been a non-Jew watching people around me disappear, knowing what was happening to them.
What would I do if faced with a similar situation today? I know what I hope the answer would be. I want to believe strongly that I would have the same courage Sophie and her brother and all these other humans had. The truth is I do not know if I would. Perhaps one day I will be faced with such a situation and only then will I know.
So think about it. You. What would you do to fight injustice? How far would YOU go?
Interesting how the world turns.
I remember seeing the movie the very first time as part of a history class when I was 14 years old. Although I wouldn’t say it changed my life, I do recall it as one of those moments that influenced who I am today.
Your questions are a good one. I’d like to think I’d fight against injustice. But there is injustice in this current world, and I am not found at the front fighting it. I have made a country my home that at least seems to hold social justice high. And if that were to change in a Nazi Regime kind of way, I hope I’d have at least a bit of the Scholl’s courage. Or anybody who has risked their lives for trying to make this world a better place.
Nice post.
Nobody Knows if they would be a hero,and it’s usually the people that don’t think it possible that are.
I also have heard of brother and sister Scholl.
The last time that the film of their brave deeds was shown on German Television was about a month ago. I am so glad that they are not forgotten,and that young people know who they are because the plaque on the wall of the University in Munich can easily be overlooked.
I am always pleased when I see how many views I get on my post about Violette Szabo,another unforgotten heroine.
Diru
spasmicallyperfect: It may be an excuse, but I tell myself that there are all sorts of ways of “fighting” injustice. There is the obvious front line activist who makes his/her voice and actions heard loud and clear. But there are countless people and situation, very small, almost unnoticeable that make a huge difference. Sometimes, often, we don’t even know that we are affecting a situation/person for the good.
That is my hope. That we are in tune with small moments and decisions in which we do the “right” thing and that put together, we create a better environment and contribute to justice all around.
Diru, thank you for your comment. I tried to go to your blog, but couldn’t connect to it. I’d love to read about Violette Szabo. Could you give me the link?
Thankyou.
diamondsandrust.wordpress.com should get you there.