I saw someone on youtube the other day being shown pictures of the bomb damage in London during WWII.
They were amazed - they had no knowledge that the UK was bombed by Germany! "Why weren't we taught this in school?" they said. . .
Many Americans have no idea (or very little) of what life under a Nazi regime was like. Europeans have. It is a race memory that will take generations to fade. Even if you were born after 1945 - it was an integral part of your up bringing. While American children were playing "Cowboys and Indian" European children were playing "Goodies and Nazis."
I am so afraid that this ingrained complacency is going to lead to even more damage and division within American culture, before people come to their senses - if they ever do, or, more importantly, are allowed to do.
Thank you for this reflection. I grew up learning about the Nazis and their atrocities, including the bombing of British cities such as Coventry and London.
I am afraid that you are correct about the complacency of too many people today. All the best and stay safe.
There’s a hopeless feeling that we’re just fiddling while Rome is burning.
If we’re as pitiable and pernicious as the current fiasco indicates, we might as well just bend over and kiss our asses goodbye.
During the Cuban Missile Crisis when we had shelter drills in junior high school, that was the prevailing sentiment of Ban the Bombers. We even wore black armbands and peace symbols.
I saw someone on youtube the other day being shown pictures of the bomb damage in London during WWII.
They were amazed - they had no knowledge that the UK was bombed by Germany! "Why weren't we taught this in school?" they said. . .
Many Americans have no idea (or very little) of what life under a Nazi regime was like. Europeans have. It is a race memory that will take generations to fade. Even if you were born after 1945 - it was an integral part of your up bringing. While American children were playing "Cowboys and Indian" European children were playing "Goodies and Nazis."
I am so afraid that this ingrained complacency is going to lead to even more damage and division within American culture, before people come to their senses - if they ever do, or, more importantly, are allowed to do.
Lady Emsworth,
Thank you for this reflection. I grew up learning about the Nazis and their atrocities, including the bombing of British cities such as Coventry and London.
I am afraid that you are correct about the complacency of too many people today. All the best and stay safe.
Steve
There’s a hopeless feeling that we’re just fiddling while Rome is burning.
If we’re as pitiable and pernicious as the current fiasco indicates, we might as well just bend over and kiss our asses goodbye.
During the Cuban Missile Crisis when we had shelter drills in junior high school, that was the prevailing sentiment of Ban the Bombers. We even wore black armbands and peace symbols.
Babette,
Remember, Trump’s plan is to overwhelm us so we feel that way. Like the Brits who endured the Blitz and the Soviets who endured Hitler’s Blitzkrieg.
All the best, and keep your chin up.
Steve
Your whole analysis here
is simply outstanding, Steve.
You lay out your vital content
with such clarity and conviction.
I did not know any of this
at such a deep level.
I wish you could send it
to our top writers
(Schmidt, Beschloss, et al.)
Dr. Hall,
Thank you for the kind words. I will link it in my comments on one of their articles.
All the best, stay safe.
Steve