TOW #17 - Provocative Holocaust Site Spurs Questions on Young Germans' Changing Views (Ben Gittleson)

In a recent article published by ABC News, a prominent news outlet, Ben Gittleson shares the recent backlash over a series of insensitive selfies taken at Berlin’s Holocaust memorial. Shahak Shapira, an Israeli artist, pasted pictures of smiling individuals at the memorial from Facebook, Instagram, and dating websites onto images depicting the Holocaust itself. The project, which was satirically dubbed Yolocaust, was intended to expose the growing complacency with the topic among German youth. Gittleson, a former freelance journalist, was hoping to encourage sensitivity regarding uncomfortable topics, such as the Holocaust. He accomplishes this by his relaxed diction and his use of direct quotes on both sides of the conflict. Gittleson uses relaxed diction and common vocabulary to appeal to the wide variety of people reading his article. He writes, “But he added that selfies were not always a mark of bad behavior.” The diction in this sentence is certainly not very advanced. This is because ABC, while a popular news site, is not generally read by society’s most intelligent individuals. Additionally, Gittleson’s sensitive subject requires less sophisticated work choices in order to simplify an extremely complicated issue. Gittleson also uses direct quotations from experts about modern German thought to influence the audience’s decision regarding whether the nonchalance with which many youth treat the Holocaust is acceptable. He shares, ““The question of how to confront this increasing ignorance or distance — I don’t really think we have the perfect solution,” Jacob Eder, a historian who researches 20th-century German history.” The support of experts that share his opinion is invaluable, as the reader is no longer taking only Gittleson’s word. However, Gittleson also shared the opposing argument by quoting a German student defending the so called insensitivities. He shares, ““I don’t think it’s disrespectful to take a few pictures of yourself or playing around in the area,” Christoph Kolbert, a 24-year-old student at Humboldt University in Berlin, told ABC News, as he visited the memorial Thursday.” By doing this, Gittleson ensures that the reader is given both sides of the story so they can make a reasonable decision for themselves. Ultimately, Gittleson successfully appeals to his audience and allows them to understand both viewpoints. However, it is clear from his selection of quotations and commentary that he believes that cultural insensitivities should be prevented at all costs. Based on this commentary, the reader is inclined to agree.