"I think he was explicit that it was a slave labor situation, but I was not alarmed at that point, because there were so many tragedies involved in that war. That was the first time I had any indication that something was sort of strange"
- Charles Guggenheim
About this Quote
Charles Guggenheim's quote is a reflection on his experience during World War II. He was not alarmed when he was informed that it was a servant labor circumstance, likely due to the fact that of the tragedies that were happening throughout the war. This quote suggests that he was aware of the atrocities that were taking place, but he was not yet familiar with the complete extent of the scenario. It was just when he had a sign that something was strange that he started to be alarmed. This quote is a pointer of the scaries of war and the value of understanding the conditions of those impacted by it. It also works as a pointer of the value of speaking out versus injustice and injustice.
"The whole commerce between master and slave is a perpetual exercise of the most boisterous passions, the most unremitting despotism on the one part, and degrading submissions on the other. Our children see this, and learn to imitate it"