A postscript of sorts ...
In regard to Leni Riefenstahl, in my mind it comes down to "what did she know, and when did she know it?" It seems pretty obvious the bulk of her important work was completed long before the Nazi atrocities were widely known. It seems to me that she was taking advantage of being in a position very few 34-year-old women could even dream about.
Hitler had brought Germany out of a monumental depression, gave work to people by building a roadway system that became the envy of Europe. He ordered the creation of the Volkswagen (laid the cornerstone at the factory), restored the military, the economy, and national pride. On the other hand - at the time - a small percentage of the population (the Jews) were beginning to be profiled as being responsible for most of the problems in the country.
Is this too high of a price to pay for national peace of mind?
We know what came next.
(1) The invasion of countries that were perceived as a threat to natural security.
(2) The imprisonment of people with no real charges or trial
(3) Allowing and/or encouraging the suspicion of people, based solely on religious differences.
(4) Torture
(5) Taking away of citizen rights and privacy.
(6) A government where the leadership was not held accountable for actions.
Should we judge Leni for not reacting when she saw these things happen?
Yes! Absolutely!
So ... Should we judge any less harshly the people in any country where these things occur?
JB
And how was your day?
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