Screenshot Quentin Tarantions "Django Unchained" USA Germany Essay Slavery Holocaust

History and guilt in the US, Germany, actually, everywhere

Screenshot Quentin Tarantions "Django Unchained" USA Germany Essay Slavery Holocaust

History and guilt

Can America face up to the terrible reality of slavery in the way that Germany has faced up to the Holocaust?

This is a very interesting read.For Germans, Americans, Israelis, Palestinians, Australians, Kurds, Turks. For everyone, actually. Because – without questioning the singularity of events – I cannot think of one nation who did not stomp over other peoples rights in its history. (If you can, let me know) Inflicting sorrow to their fellow humans is a common trait of all people. Take that into account, try to fully understand what it means that there is no “good nation”, no “light unto the nations”, no “God’s own country”, that in the end nations always do good *and* bad – it becomes a lesson of humbleness you can not forget nor ignore. That is why coming to the terms with the past is so important.

Photo: Scene from “Django Unchained”

(Deutsch) SW #109

On Jubilee Street there was a girl named Bee
She had a history but she had no past
When they shut her down the Russians moved in
Now I’m too scared to even walk on past
She used to say all those good people down on Jubilee Street
They ought to practise what they preach

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, “Jubilee Street”

(Deutsch) SW #99

Wenn ich den Verstand verloren habe, soll’s mir auch recht sein, dachte Moses Herzog.

Saul Bellow, “Herzog”, erster Satz

(Deutsch) SW #87

Much writing today strikes me as deprecating, destructive, and angry. There are good reasons for anger, and I have nothing against anger. But I think some writers have lost their sense of proportion, their sense of humor, and their sense of appreciation. I am often mad, but I would hate to be nothing but mad: and I think I would lose what little value I may have as a writer if I were to refuse, as a matter of principle, to accept the warming rays of the sun, and to report them, whenever, and if ever, they happen to strike me.

E. B. White

(Deutsch) SW #84

Every hundred feet the world changes

Roberto Bolaño, 2666