Does one assume that teenagers will automatically disrespect a memorial or site of remembrance with the express intention to do so? Here we see teens climbing, sitting and playing with the Rosenstrasse memorial which is dedicated to the German women who protested the Nazis for taking their Jewish husbands into custody in 1943. At first glance, it can seem like these teens are being disrespectful to this site by acting as such, however, upon further investigation, it seemed as if this was not their intention. At least to the individuals we spoke to, they were unaware of the memorials’ origins. They were somewhat apologetic, while also being defensive at the accusations we made about their behaviours.
We assume, when we attempt to correct other people’s behaviours, that we know better and are on some level, morally superior. But what at first glance was teens disrespecting this memorial, was more complicated. How do we then continue to bring this judgement onto people at these sites of memory, while preaching not judging others’ actions? We do not know why these people are here or how they feel about their actions, we only know our thoughts. It should come as no surprise then, when people don’t live up to our impossible standards that they were not aware existed in the first place.