In Their Own Words: Maya Lewy

After reading Martin Niemöller’s poem “They Came For,”  students were asked to reflect on this question:  Do you think that everyone in Germany was partly responsible for the Nazi’s rise to power, or that only those active in the Nazi Party were responsible?  Explain your answer.  Below is one student’s response. 

“In light of the Holocaust, it is difficult to decipher whether the German people should be held responsible for the monstrosities committed by the Nazis. I find myself wondering – can indifference ever be justified? Can we put the German people at fault, even though their economic and political state left them seeking for anyone, or anything to hope in? Even though they too would have been subject to the Nazis torture if they dared to be brave.

And yet, how could they have supported a cause so full of hate? Did they truly believe that was the only way? Was desperation the driving force behind the German people’s ignorance, which ultimately fueled their oppression? Who is to blame – Hitler? After all, he was the one behind it all, wasn’t he? It was his words outlining the devious plans he had in store within the pages of Mein Kampf, yet no one believed that it could’ve been some and even so, no one spoke. Which is the dominating fuel for evil – indifference of hatred? Or are are they counterparts? Was it indifference that fueled hate or hate that fueled indifference?

My mind spins in circles trying to find the words to say, to explain it all, until I can only formulate one last thought – why cling to blame? After half a century, what has blame proven? Of course, it is necessary to remember, memory is vital in the protection of our future, to prevent further blight and suffering, but why blame? No amount of further blame or hatred will give the dead new life, only unsettle the dirt that lay atop them.

Granted, we cannot forget the indifference of the German people; however, we cannot give indifference any more leverage. Memory will serve as the shield against evil, but blame will only sharpen the sword.” – Maya Lewy (10th grade Honors Language Arts student)