I visited Dachau in June , 2023, and took a few photographs, but out of respect for those who suffered and were murdered there, I only took a few. However, I felt compelled to take a few photographs to use them for the stories I write about Dachau and for the context of the Holocaust.
There was a striped outfit on display which had been worn by someone who was incarcerated in Dachau. He survived.
No matter what angle I tried, the picture did not come out right. The reflection always made it appear as if I was wearing it.
That made me think, “What if it was me who had worn the garment?” If I had been born a few decades earlier, it easily could have been me.
What if it was me? Would I have survived?
What if it was me? Would I have betrayed my fellow men?
What if it was me? Would I have resisted?
What if it was me? Would I have kept my sanity?
What if it was me? Would I have protected my family or just myself?
What if it was me? Would I have forgiven the perpetrators?
What if it was me?
To be honest—I don’t know the answer to those questions.
(repost from July 22,2023)
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