Life magazine released a cache of color photographs that portray the daily life of Adolf Hitler.
Incorrectly, CNN describes these color pictures as "chilling." I'm not sure what makes them chilling. Is it Adolf Hitler, or the fact the photos show him in color? I guess it is simply his image that makes him evil, and in no way reflects on his actions or character as a human being.
I do not believe that pictures of him in black and white portray him as some lovable character, who was merely misunderstood by the rest of the world. Let's get a grip. CNN is making something out of nothing.
The actions of Hitler were what made him "chilling," not some photographer's lens. It's that simple. Also, thanks to Life for finally decided to let the rest of the world see its collection, which it has been sitting on for over forty years. It is a shame that these pieces of history were locked away in obscurity while some in the world worried about trivial minutia, such as color.
2 comments:
Releasing color photos of Hitler, it is more than chilling; it is obscene.
Not only did the Nazi archival photographer Jaeger profit from the demon Hitler during his life, he was not held accountable and was allowed to continue to profit after his death.
It is unconscionable that Life magazine was party to such a hideous exploitation of evil, and all who reprint Hitler's images for sensationalism and profit are likewise guilty of desecrating the suffering and memory of his victims-both of those who survived and those who did not.
Hitler's horrible deeds should never be forgotten. Proof of the horrors he perpetrated must be eternally preserved as a warning. But every shred of his aggrandizement ought to be destroyed, from personal effects to so-called historical artifacts of his regime. To preserve it gives him, ironically, the lasting "glory" he aimed for.
As a historian, I must disagree with your statement that presenting these color photos of Adolf Hitler, to the world, is obscene. Your comment is made out of personal feelings, rather than historical objectivity.
Destroying artifacts from select time periods will not lessen the fact that certain events happened. As they say, it is history.
To extend your thought further, it might be said that historical records and artifacts relating to Josef Stalin and Napoleon Bonaparte should be stricken from history because of their horrific domestic and foreign policies. It is obvious, that with time, personal feelings are blunted; thereby, allowing artifacts, such as Jaeger's photographs, to be viewed from a more impartial vantage point.
Ironically, your desire to destroy these artifacts, from World War II, is strikingly similar to Hitler's own views on changing the past to suit the needs of the present. He wanted to re-write history, too. Fortunately, these photographs, from their perspective as historical artifacts, will be available for further study by current and future experts.
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