In the newsgroup germanica-l@netcom.com, the following post appeared:
I think there is a feeling among Americans of Germanic origins, and German Americans in particular, that politics is somehow "off limits" to them, and it is a privilege that is reserved to others who are somehow more "legitimate" in the political process.
This is an attitude that, in my opinion, is a guarantee that Germanic Americans will ever be acceding to and making way for others' agendas.
I think that if Germanic Americans would think about it, they would eventually realize that they have some very real issues and claims upon the American political system which are every bit is legitimate and compelling as the claims made by other groups.
Here are (more of) my thoughts on political issues that Germanic
Americans should think about. I would appreciate comments or insights, as well as additions or subtractions.
An Agenda for Americans of Germanic Heritage
1. An end to war propaganda
2. An end to stories of German soldiers spearing Belgian babies on
bayonets
3. An end to stories of Germans making soap out of human bodies
4. An end to stories of "Ordinary Germans" as "willing
executioners"
5. An end to movies where a "good" German is a remarkable
"exception"
6. An end to legal persecution
7. Eliminate anti-German provisions from U.S. Code. Shut down the Office of Special Investigation. Remove anti-German exclusions from U.S. immigration code
8. Respect for the legal and civil rights of Germanic people
9. An end to censorship of Germanic history. An end to racial classification and assignment of Germanic persons in government, employment, and education.
10. Apology and reparations to German American internees
11. Respect for the humanity of Germanic people
12. Memorialization of the suffering and injustice done to Germanic people
13. Accountability of war criminals for war crimes against Germanic people
14. Respect for the dignity of Germanic heritage and culture
15. Restoration of all institutional and historic place names that record the participation and contributions of Germanic people in the history, heritage, and culture of America.
16. An end to stereotyping and defamation of Germanic people
17. An end to stereotyping and defamation of Germanic people on the basis of ethnicity
18. An end to stereotyping and defamation of Germanic people on the basis of national origin
19. An end to stereotyping and defamation of Germanic people on the basis of racial attributes
20. An end to stereotyping and defamation of Germanic people on the basis of language and culture
21. An end to stereotyping and defamation of Germanic people on the basis of religion
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Another participant wrote:
A good beginning Gerhard. I would add:
1. Hunt for Zionist and Communist war criminals hiding out in the US and Israel. Formation of an International tribunal to try same.
2. Release all classified material by the US government (regarding German-American Relations in the last 100 years).
3. Law requiring periodicals, newspapers, magazines to provide the full name, all previous names, ethnic identity and religion of contributors, editors, columnists.
4. Ensure that K--Hire (_______ unreadable) are made aware of the inconsistencies promoted with the so-called "holocaust"
5. Program to immunize Germanic-Americans against the usual buzzwords--racist, antisemite, hater, extremist, right wing radical, nazi.
6. Political awareness program. The Sacramento Bee reported that (30) thirty US congressmen were in Israel over the Memorial Day weekend.
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I asked Ernst if he wanted to add something, and he wrote:
"German-Americans must stop tinkering under the hood and stop trying to fix the economic problems by their hard work. They must get back in the driver's seat and take hold of their fate and destiny.
"We are not a defeated people! We were merely conquered by overwhelming force of arms - not better ideas or greater morals. We are not second-class citizens!"
Thought for the Day:
"You have to take chances for peace, just as you must take chances in war...The ability to get to the verge without getting into the war is the necessary art. If you try to run away from it, if you are scared to go to the brink, you are lost."
(James Shepley)
(Elizabeth Wordsworth)