Associated Figures
About This Chapter
This chapter introduces people connected with Germany under Nazi rule.
In particular, Katrin Himmler, Rainer Höss, Bettina Göring, Niklas Frank and Monika Göth are descendants of senior figures in Hitler's regime or of their siblings. Whatever their parents or ancestors did, children and descendants should bear no guilt. Yet they suffered under society's gaze as 'children of great criminals' and from their own identity as 'descendants of mass murderers'; some even chose sterilization.
I hope you will read this not merely with curiosity about these people, but with thought for their feelings, for the fact that we live in a society that tries—or tends—to identify a person with the deeds of their parents, ancestors, and family, and for those same tendencies within ourselves.
English translation:
The chapter introduces people associated with Nazi Germany.
In particular, Katrin Himmler, Liner Hess, Betti-na Gering, Niclas Frank, and Monica Gate are descendants of former Hitler regime officials or their brothers. No matter what parents or ancestors did, children or descendants should not be guilty. However, they suffered from the public's view as "a child of a sinner" as "As a descendant of a mass murderer" and even made a decision of sterilization.
Instead of just looking at them with curiosity, I would like you to read this book while thinking about the fact that we live in a society that tries to equate people with the behavior of their parents, their ancestors and their families, or is prone to do so, their feelings, and such elements in our hearts.