I'll always do my best to provide an alternative viewpoint to those I was exposed to growing up American. It seems impossible for Americans to understand Germany's rules, for example,
"Why is Mein Kampf illegal to sell in Germany?"
Simply put, it's a book of hate speech. And selling it would mean someone makes a profit off of something tragic. Also, there are racists in Germany, and this book satisfies their appetites.
Today marks the 70 year point where the book was under Bavarian copyright. Now they must release it. But not just so.
They've developed a critical annotated version that doubles the book in length, to make it scholarly.
This morning on the radio I heard some interviews about how the public, and book sellers feel about this. I was surprised.
"Out of respect for those who died, I won't read it."
"I won't be putting it on the shelves of my bookstore, it would be unethical to make money from it."
I was under the impression that Germans would say, "Finally, freedom of speech." But no, they're trying to be sensitive to those who died, and protect more loss of life.
BBC sums up.
***
I just drove home from shopping at Aldi and saw two refugees squatting on our street, facing a huge field/valley, drinking beer from glasses. It's 10:30 AM. Early for a picnic, or maybe not.
When I say squatting I mean the resting squat. Have you heard of it? Many other cultures find it easier to rest while squatting in a deep, flat-footed squat than to stand.
Maybe you recall my post about these guys taking walnuts from my neighbor's tree, with photos of them squatting under it to enjoy them.
I'm fascinated by this cultural difference. Some say that Westerners use chairs to the detriment of their health. Children from all cultures do it naturally. If you've visited parts of Asia, you'll have been forced to squat over a "toilet" that isn't.
I know I feel foolish squatting, because this is my "relieving myself in the woods" posture. That's why I can do it at all, probably *lol* but getting your heels all the way down on flat ground is not easy, try it!
This site sums up. This site shows a picture of some guys doing it just like the guys on my street today.
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8 comments:
I'm gonna have to try squatting like that, will take some practice I think as it hurts my knees to just look at the pictures.
Interesting about the book that noone wants to sell it even now.
So...so different than here. And of course, there are reasons, and the reasons make sense. But...wow.
Crystal, I know, as an American, I was very surprised to hear the public opinion. I'm hoping some of the Germans who read this blog will chime in and add some more detail.
Aarene, I wish I could tell you if the book will be available at libraries. The thing is, I've never been to a library in Germany because they are very hard to find and rarely open when I do find one. I always say to J, "There are no libraries in Germany" and he corrects me, but ...why haven't we been to one then?
If someone had wanted to read Mein Kampf before this week, with some effort they could have found a copy. It just wasn't allowed to be sold. And the original, un-annotated version remains illegal.
Pretty sure everyone has access to Mein Kampf online - German and English. Try the internet archive. My book club discussed the confederate flag issue at length recently, which is similar. It seems to me you can try to control or eradicate symbols all you want, but hate, hateful feelings, hateful ideas... the source of hateful speech and actions - there's no stopping those. Sadly it's human nature.
full text of Mein Kam!of (in English) is readily available (free) online. Not sure about German language edition. It's an interesting question....
Now I am not sure whether this is what other Germans are thinking:), but I think that in refusing to read/sell it they are refusing to cater to right-wing people and *are* exercising their freedom of 'speech' by making a deliberate statement - to the press no less - not to sell it ... helen
That squatting anecdote reminds me of a story my history teacher told me once. He was in Afghanistan, and him and his army comrades would always hold competitions to see who could squat like that for longer, because all the locals would do that. Eventually, they would just fall over!
I used to squat like that all the time (when outside if I was in clothes I didn't want dirty so couldn't sit on the ground), but I haven't done it in a long time, so I was curious if I still could. I can, but I think my toes are turned out too much and I'm a little stiffer in one hip. Very interesting!! I'm glad you mentioned this. I really need to start doing it more often and try to get my body straight again. The stiffer hip is the opposite of the side my back usually hurts on. Very telling. I do sit a lot, but I don't sit still!! Or with proper posture. I'm constantly moving around. The bad thing is I cross my legs at the knees too much.. that cuts off circulation and causes back and hip pain. Not good for the knees either I don't think. I'm trying to break myself of that. I also stand with my weight uneven. I rarely stand equal weight on both feet. That does a number on my back and joints too. Lots of bad habits lol.
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