Some historians point out that the majority of Germans were indifferent to the plight of the Jews. Their attitude was not rooted in hatred, but rather in complete apathy. Why might it have been that so many people simply didn't care what happened to their former colleagues, neighbors, and, in some cases, friends? Do you see examples of apathy in your school, community, and country? Why do you think people become apathetic toward problems that others might be facing?
Lit Terms 2
5 years ago
3 comments:
September 15, 2016 I personally believe that the reason a majority of Germans ignored the plight towards their former friends that were Jewish, was because of the idea that more friends woulf replace them in the future. Also fear played a bital role in scaring German residents into ignoring the cries of help from the Jews and knowing that only apathy for them could help in the easing of letting them go and hopefully moving on. People become apathetic due to a problem that is in plenty if ways wrong. They know they are standing by watching crimes against humanity being committed, but all they know they can do is watch in order to protect themselves and the ones the loved. -Adam foster
After World War I, Germany was in economic and political strife. Hitler played a major role in bringing Germany back onto her feet. As a result, many Germans must have thought that whatever he was doing was beneficial to the country and did not care what the stakes were, even if that involved their Jewish friends and neighbors. Seeing acts of apathy is a daily thing. Looking at it in a cynical way, it is the result of people not caring because it does not involve them. People do not want to get entangled in conflicts that are "not my problem".
I guess you could say it's one of those situations where it isn't happening to you so it isn't your problem. You decide to focus on you rather than what's happening to other people because it's something you don't have to deal with, and you certainly don't want to get involved. Also, the Germans could of either been paralyzed with fear of what happened if they did care, or even they got so brainwashed by the whole "for a better Germany" garbage that they were so desperate and would of done anything to get there.
I feel you've seen a lot of apathy in our country as of late. I know me personally with a lot of the movements and rallies that have gone on because of the awful things happening to people I've felt bad, but I've partially have showed apathy towards it. Reason being though is because it's been brought up so much that you kind of get tired of hearing about it and that sounds awful, but the main reason is because it's lead to stereotyping. Because one person or multiple people of this race, religion, sexuality, etc. has done this to this other race, religion, sexuality, etc. they are all bad. That isn't the case at all. So I think it gets to the point where either it gets over exaggerated at times (like the boy who cried wolf) and leads to things that are untrue, or where you hear about it so much it doesn't effect you at all so you don't show any interest until it's you yourself or a person close to you that it's being done to. That's the sad truth honestly.
Believe me I was devastated when I heard about the shootings of these people that were killed over the summer at the club in orlando, and the examples of police brutality that has gone on, among other things. It has gotten to the point though where unfortunately it's the world we live in right now, and I feel something similar in what the Germans could of felt is what can you do to stop it? Especially when it's a situation so much bigger than you.
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