Dear World, I have to confess
I speak the same language like Hitler, Goebbels and the Kaiser. The same language that gifted us words like Blitzkrieg and doppelganger.
I live in the city in which radioactivity was discovered. I live in the city where the holocaust was decided, quite close to that place actually. The building where the holocaust was decided is less than 5 miles from my home.
Some guy from my home town decided to transport Lenin to Russia which helped start the Revolution. Some guy from my country gave the secret on how to build nuclear bombs to the Soviets. Some guy from my home country gave the world Communism. Some guy from my home town helped start a world war. Another guy who lived in my home town for a while decided to start another world war.
Yet I do love this town and my language.
It is worth not making the same mistake the bigots do.
Most of the good in the world came from the German-speaking peoples, so no point judging them by the aberrant cases.
@amerika Oh thanks for that view. 🙂
I was not completely serious. Germany is a peaceful country and part of Europe now and I know that neither speaking German nor living in Berlin is a crime. I just wanted to highlight part of the history that is tied to my language and my city 🙂
@sycramore @amerika You do not need to cherry pick a dark moment in the past which (if we're honest) came close to happening in other countries. There is much wonderful history to come out of your Germany music, Science, Art and Language.
Like most countries, our politicians tell convenient myths about the past, and it is for us to understand the bad, celebrate the good and especially where the stories cross borders.
@davoloid @sycramore
I agree. One historical error is not a huge deal, especially considering that most of humanity is screwing up all the time.
Our politicians and even more, our voters, like simple stories that explain us as good and destined for success even though deep problems pervade all human societies.