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| The courage to say 'No', The photo was taken in Hamburg in 1936, during the celebrations for the launch of a ship. In the crowd, one person refuses to raise his arm to give the Nazi salute. The man was August Landmesser. He had already been in trouble with the authorities, having been sentenced to two years hard labor for marrying a Jewish woman. |
Week #3--For Everyone
I'd like to see what you might have to say about this photo. What do you think? What do you wonder? What's your reaction?
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To be honest, I'm not really surprised, I knew there had to be some people who are German and don't believe w/nazis. From this picture, I would say that he doesn't really believe in what everyone is doing. He also married a Jewish woman, which can state that he doesn't think Jews are below him. His face also has that irritated look. I wonder how many people would actually join him.
ReplyDeleteWhat I have to say about this picture is that August was a man of his beliefs. It seems that if August did not agree with something, he would not take any part of it. August must have been a brave man because he could have been killed for not helping the Nazi's cause.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I agree with him being brave. If the Nazis saw him, he could of been taken to a concentration camp or just shot.
DeleteOr maybe gassed because atomic weapons were being used a lot in WWII.
DeleteI think he knows its not right, maybe he is trying to show that by not saluting. Im surprised that he did that because he could have been killed.
ReplyDeleteI think they all knew it was wrong, but he was the only one with the guts to actually say it was wrong.
DeleteWhat do you think would have happened to him?
DeleteI wonder why he decided to go against the government, even though it threatened his life. I think his wife must have inspired him to be brave enough to disobey. It’s strange to think that if enough people had been like him, World War II could have been avoided entirely; Hitler would be powerless without any followers.
ReplyDeleteI'm also wondering why he would go against the government because it threatens his life. He must be very brave to be able to do that.
DeleteYeah I agree with how the government killing his wife got him to just openly disobey. I forgot where I heard this but, "People shouldn't fear the government. The government should fear the people." (It might be from V)
DeleteI'm glad to see you all appreciate how dangerous and brave Mr. Landmesser's action (or non-action) was. It can often be terrifying to stand out in a crowd, difficult "go against the grain"and yet, as Peyton pointed out, how might world history be different if there had/were more people like August Landmesser? I challenge you to have an August moment at least once in your life.
ReplyDeleteHere's a good article which provides a bit more information about Mr. Landmesser and his family: https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/august-landmesser-shipyard-worker-in-hamburg-refused-to-perform-nazi-salute-photo/2012/02/07/gIQA1ZzExQ_blog.html?utm_term=.0c117ca2ea5b
When you are in high school or maybe college, I hope you will read Henry David Thoreau's Essay on Civil Disobedience. Perhaps you will think back to August Landmesser.
I think that August knew that what the Nazi's were doing was wrong, i also think most people in that picture did. But he was the only one that was brave enough to do it. Although he knew it could cost him his life, he chose to stand up for what he believes in, no matter what.
ReplyDelete