A haunting play that confronts us with the dangers of fascism is now on display at Detroit Public Theatre. "Here There Are Blueberries" uses a powerful narrative to shed light on the atrocities committed by the Nazis during World War II.
The story revolves around a photo album donated to the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. The album appears to be an ordinary snapshot album, but it contains photographs of high-ranking SS officers, including Karl-Friedrich Höcker, who worked at Auschwitz. What sets this album apart is that it lacks any images of Jewish prisoners, instead showcasing carefree moments of the SS personnel on their "vacation" grounds.
Through a series of interviews with descendants of the SS officers and museum curators, the play masterfully unravels the mysteries behind the album. It raises an uncomfortable question: how did these individuals come to be so detached from the atrocities they committed? The more we learn about the daily lives of the SS-Helferinnen (or "helpers") division, who worked as telegraph and radio operators under the regime, the clearer it becomes that ignorance is a far cry from plausible deniability.
As I watched this play, I couldn't help but think of a T-shirt I once bought at a Pagan Summer Solstice festival: "No Nazis in Valhalla," with "Nazis fuck off" written in runes. The reactions of the German woman who approached me after buying that shirt - a mix of recognition, grief, and dissonance as she grappled with the possibility that some of her family members were not good people - echoed my own experiences as I confronted the horrors of the Holocaust.
The play poses a crucial question: can we truly disconnect from our actions and their impact on others? Human beings who commit atrocities often compartmentalize, shielding themselves from the full weight of their guilt. However, it's essential to acknowledge that the defense of "following orders" is no justification for brutality. As our country teeters on the brink of fascism once again, we must remember our collective humanity and confront the horrors we've witnessed.
The play's director, Amy Marie Seidel, highlights an integral truth: when artists speak the truth, they connect with others on a fundamental level, allowing us to understand each other in ways that transcend power dynamics. The hope is that this play will inspire every individual to take action, to make a difference from their seat.
As I left the theatre, overcome with grief and disorientation, I felt a deep sense of empathy for those who'd been affected by such atrocities. It's essential for us to create spaces where we can process our emotions, to support one another in this fragile balancing act between carrying our grief and continuing to live with dignity.
Until November 2, the "Here There Are Blueberries" play will be on display at Detroit Public Theatre, reminding us of the dangers of fascism and the importance of human connection.
The story revolves around a photo album donated to the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. The album appears to be an ordinary snapshot album, but it contains photographs of high-ranking SS officers, including Karl-Friedrich Höcker, who worked at Auschwitz. What sets this album apart is that it lacks any images of Jewish prisoners, instead showcasing carefree moments of the SS personnel on their "vacation" grounds.
Through a series of interviews with descendants of the SS officers and museum curators, the play masterfully unravels the mysteries behind the album. It raises an uncomfortable question: how did these individuals come to be so detached from the atrocities they committed? The more we learn about the daily lives of the SS-Helferinnen (or "helpers") division, who worked as telegraph and radio operators under the regime, the clearer it becomes that ignorance is a far cry from plausible deniability.
As I watched this play, I couldn't help but think of a T-shirt I once bought at a Pagan Summer Solstice festival: "No Nazis in Valhalla," with "Nazis fuck off" written in runes. The reactions of the German woman who approached me after buying that shirt - a mix of recognition, grief, and dissonance as she grappled with the possibility that some of her family members were not good people - echoed my own experiences as I confronted the horrors of the Holocaust.
The play poses a crucial question: can we truly disconnect from our actions and their impact on others? Human beings who commit atrocities often compartmentalize, shielding themselves from the full weight of their guilt. However, it's essential to acknowledge that the defense of "following orders" is no justification for brutality. As our country teeters on the brink of fascism once again, we must remember our collective humanity and confront the horrors we've witnessed.
The play's director, Amy Marie Seidel, highlights an integral truth: when artists speak the truth, they connect with others on a fundamental level, allowing us to understand each other in ways that transcend power dynamics. The hope is that this play will inspire every individual to take action, to make a difference from their seat.
As I left the theatre, overcome with grief and disorientation, I felt a deep sense of empathy for those who'd been affected by such atrocities. It's essential for us to create spaces where we can process our emotions, to support one another in this fragile balancing act between carrying our grief and continuing to live with dignity.
Until November 2, the "Here There Are Blueberries" play will be on display at Detroit Public Theatre, reminding us of the dangers of fascism and the importance of human connection.
I just got out of this super powerful play at Detroit Public Theatre and it's still haunting me 
. It made me think about how we can disconnect from our actions and how that's never okay 
. I mean, imagine having family members who were part of the Nazis and feeling all those emotions - recognition, grief, dissonance... it's overwhelming 
. The play is saying we gotta acknowledge that following orders isn't a free pass for hurting people 
. We need to create spaces to process our emotions and support each other in this tough balancing act between grieving and living with dignity 
. Go check out "Here There Are Blueberries" before it's gone on Nov 2 
This play sounds super thought-provoking, I mean who knew a old photo album could lead to such deep questions about humanity? 
The way it highlights how some people can be so detached from the harm they're causing is crazy 
. It's also really interesting that the director is trying to connect us all through art, like we're all in this together 
. I'm kinda nervous about the fascism thing right now too... has anyone else felt a sense of unease lately? 
Also, can someone pls explain what "following orders" actually means in this context? 
.
. We need to support each other, listen to marginalized voices, and demand accountability from those in power. It's time for us to come together and remind ourselves of what it means to truly be human 
.
it's like they say, history repeats itself and we're back to where we were during wwii... how can people be so detached from what they do? it's not about following orders, it's about CHOOSING TO DO NOTHING AND WATCH AS ATROCITIES HAPPEN 
but you know what got to me the most? The fact that we can still connect with each other on a human level despite everything... it's like we're all just one big messy family and we need to hold each other up when we're falling apart 
I mean, I've seen that Pagan Summer Solstice festival T-shirt before and honestly, who wants to wear something that screams "I'm okay with Nazis"?! 
The reactions of the German woman after buying it are EVERYTHING 
.
I just watched this play "Here There Are Blueberries" and I'm still trying to process it... 
Like, nope, that's not a valid excuse for hurting people 
like, how can you separate your politics from your personal values? It's all connected 
. We need to hold each other accountable for our actions and stop making excuses for hurtful behavior 
.
and the way the actors use the photo album as a prop to explore the complexities of human morality... it's just masterful 
. I mean, who knew a simple photo album could hold so much darkness? The way they explore the idea that even people who committed heinous crimes can seem "normal" on the surface is mind-blowing 
. It's like, how can we not learn from history if we don't confront these uncomfortable truths? 
. I'm def gonna check it out when it comes to my area 
It really made me think about how we disconnect from our actions and their impact on others 
The way it highlights the daily lives of those who worked under the regime, and how ignorance is not an excuse for brutal behavior 
i feel bad 4 those who lost loved ones during ww2 
what can we do to stop it tho? 
it's so haunting to think about how these SS officers could've been just regular people with ordinary lives, but instead chose to participate in such monstrousness... and what really gets me is how we can justify their actions by saying "they were following orders" no one should ever feel that way about hurting others, and the more i think about it, the more i realize that our capacity for empathy & compassion is what makes us human 
Meanwhile, 90% of American high school students can't identify a single Holocaust survivor's story 
gotta wonder what other hidden truths are waiting to be uncovered in our world 