What do you see when you look into his eyes?
My students know I can get a little upset when it comes to racism and disrespect of any kind. I teach a course on Genocide and Human Rights, so I’m […]
Finding History-Bullets on the Beach
It seems like we are often confronted with our history here in Europe. Whether it is a walk along the Limes in the hills near our house, or whether we […]
Thank you Steven Spielberg!
In University I read Schindler’s List as a part of a Modern World History course. I loved the book. If fact I was so in love with the book that […]
Speaking of Hitler…
There is this thing called Godwin’s Law. The law states that the longer an online discussion continues, the more likely it is that someone will use Hitler or the Nazis […]
A Very Weltkrieg Christmas
“Have yourself a merry little Christmas, may your heart be light…” As Michael Bublé began to croon, my daughter let out a heavy sigh. Rolling on the floor she whined, […]
Schrebergärten: The Little Shangri-La in the City
A Few Years Back: I was traveling from downtown Berlin to the Wannsee with a group of teachers from Washington State. I was enjoying the views of city life from […]
Germany vs. the USA: Flag Waving and Patriotism
All across Germany the Schwartz, Rot, and Gold waves proudly. Apartment balconies are dripping with flags. Cars are gift wrapped in mini-flags, magnets, and mirror socks. And at Ikea this […]
Organized Labor: The US vs Germany
This week is the 103 anniversary of the fire in New York at the Triangle Shirt Waist Factory. One hundred forty-six workers, most of them immigrant women, were trapped in […]
Since when is dressing up as an SS officer proper dinner attire?
I was shocked this morning to read about this group of WWII re-enactors having their annual party at German restaurant in Minneapolis. I wanted to slap one of these guys […]
Is the Crisis in the Crimea a Warning Sign?
As the crisis started to heat up last weekend in the Crimea, I wondered…would I know when to get out if the political crisis worsened here in Europe? Whenever I […]
