The premise, that "some" young germans are sick and tired of having to apologize for the holocaust has some merit..
Repeated and constant apologies become rote, and meaningless after they have been heard too many times.. They lose their meaning, and true spirit of atonement..
Having said that, there is still the recognition of a horrible abuse of one's fellow man..
Accepting responsibility, acknowledging history, committment to never allowing such atrocities to happen again, is a much better response than apology...
Germany has at least, recognized it's responsibility, and acknowledges it's part in the holocaust..
The rest of europe has yet to come to terms with their own part in a history of anti-semitism that was not only common but rampant throughout europe throughout the 19th and early 20th century..
As someone pointed out in another post, there were those "europeans", ( not just germans ) that were complicit in the internment of the jews.. that turned in their neighbors for financial and political gain.. and for favorable treatment from the nazi occupational government..
This was not just a german phenomenon, but a european one.. and it was a perspective that was common in the Soviet empire as well..
Even in America, jews were denigrated and mis-characterized.. And let's not forget the Arab nations, where jews were often treated no better than dogs, considered "dhimmi", second-class citizens, sub-human..
So one cannot blame the germans exclusively for what was an almost global consensus, especially among the lower and middle economic classes, and the uneducated..
The jew was a common target, to blame for many of the ills of the world..
So, why should Germany be alone in offering apologies for the actions of a regime 60 years gone?
In addition, where is the world's demand to see Russia, Japan, China, etc.. live up to their own obligations to recognize their own crimes against humanity??
Do we hold these other nations to the same standard?
What I would like to see Germany (and germans) do, is simply what has been done.. acknowledge their past..
I would also like to see Germany (the state) more involved, in a leadership role, in the issue of Human Rights..
I would suggest that a true reparation for historical wrongs would be a dedication to the principles of Human Rights, the Right to Life, and other such principles and their promotion throughout the world..
In this way, Germany and the german people could show that they, at least, have learned from history and are committed to insuring that that history is never repeated..
I agree with you. The point is not empty guilt for the past, but change for the future.
It would be easier to credit German (and European) annoyance at Holocaust memory if anti-Semitic acts and press, demonization of Israel, support for Palestinian terror and incitement, were not at an all time new high since WWII.
Also what about the current genocide in Sudan? Europe not only ignores it but obstructs help.
Thus it appears that no number of memorials has had an impact on the German and European psyche which once again takes an expedient position towards Jews. This time in the name of Muslim appeasement and financial reward.
In addition, where is the world's demand to see Russia, Japan, China, etc.. live up to their own obligations to recognize their own crimes against humanity??
Do we hold these other nations to the same standard?
What I would like to see Germany (and germans) do, is simply what has been done.. acknowledge their past..
I would also like to see Germany (the state) more involved, in a leadership role, in the issue of Human Rights..
I would suggest that a true reparation for historical wrongs would be a dedication to the principles of Human Rights, the Right to Life, and other such principles and their promotion throughout the world..
___________________________________________________________
Ping.
Many countries (pretty much every country) has racist pasts,Germany had th Holocaust and others had slavery. The most important thing is to recognise the past and demand that the future be different.