The day I understood the 'good German'
The greatest mystery of World War II has been solved. The enigma lasted more than eight decades.
The most important event in recent human history, which shaped the world as it is today, was the Second World War. It is a topic covered, to this day, in a huge number of books, documentaries, plays and movies. Each writer, director and screenwriter tells a piece of the story. Each one with their own viewpoint and approach.
I personally have already contributed to this culture when I wrote and directed a short film based on that time. I told the story of a child in love with airplanes who meets an aviator. In the movie, I explained a little about the mood in Brazil about to enter the war. Finally, I paid homage to the Brazilian pilots who went to fight, in 1944, against the fascists in Europe.
I understand that a lot of people produce on the subject - and a lot of people are interested in reading or watching - because everyone is trying to find out how the world got into that boiling point that caused, according to the best calculations, more than 70 million deaths. Moreover, studying history has a noble goal: to understand the mistakes of the past so that they will not be repeated in the future. "Historians are the professional remembrancers of what their fellow-citizens wish to forget," said the intellectual Eric Hobsbawm.
The works that tell the stories of the people who fought in the war, the focus of most books and movies, are exciting. However, for me, the most fascinating thing has always been the search to understand how the thinking and motivations of each of the people involved in the conflict were.
Hi Filipe,
I only now came across your article through a twitter post and have passed it on to some 'Good Germans' who do not believe they fall into this category but they certainly do! Perhaps your article can serve as a 'wake up call' - nothing has worked yet though and blinders remain intact. This attack on the fundamental principle of the Nuremberg Code was clear as day for anyone who has a basic understanding of what happened during the Holocaust - and many of the world politicians even now are still repeating these blatant lies regarding the 'unvaccinated'.
Do you know if any medical establishment was willing to help the little boy in need of a heart transplant that featured in your piece? Do you know if he was saved, or was he sacrificed to appease all the 'Good Citizens'?
So much has changed regarding health policies in the last few months since you wrote this piece it creates the façade that we have almost returned to 'normal'. However, the curtain has been pulled back to reveal that the 'Good Citizen' in 2022, devoid of any true understanding of science, compassion or humanity, is no different than the 'Good German' of 1939. Sadly, I have discovered that I know many of them. It is the case that we go through life having friends and acquaintances, and it is always easy to discuss a historical period together and claim 'of course' you all would have been 'on the right side of history' - after all who would claim they would have sided with the Nazi's today? What few realize is that the vast majority during these times were not on the 'right side of history', and if you find your views typically align with the 'majority' in society then likely you also would have participated directly or indirectly in the atrocities. It is only those whose moral convictions supersede their need to 'fit in' to society who are able to resist these forces, and this is a rare trait. The curtain has now lifted and the great 'reveal' has occurred. We now know who the 'Landmesser's' within our societies and circles of 'friends' are. Once seen it can never be unseen.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_Landmesser#/media/File:August-Landmesser-Almanya-1936.jpg
I will always be civil to those incapable of recognizing their own weakness, those willing to 'go along' with these measures, but I will never see them in the same light again or ever trust them.
Thank you for writing this piece, I hope it helps a few realize before it is too late.
FYI, Your amazing article has vanished from France Soir. This article is so important and has not received the recognition it deserves. .