image by
August Sander

Zigeuner
Gypsy

Nowadays it isn´t politically correct to use the term “gypsy”
on Sinti or Roma.

ZIGEUNER,

in Hungarian:

CIGÀNY


is still used as an
ethnic slur.

Antisemitism
and bad treatment of the Sinti and Roma
are shockingly vivid
in Hungary.

So even today
respectful treatment
of the “other”
of minorities,
of immigrants,
or the respectful treatment
of those who are dependent
on social security,
is not self-evident.

I can´t know,
how I would have behaved
during the III. Reich.

Maybe I would have been killing Roma.
Or organizing the death of uncountable
Jews.

Much of our attitudes
and way of handling the world around us,
is the result of mere chance.
It depends on the circumstances
we are brought up.

But I have learned,
that there are always people,
mostly a small number compared to the majority,
who are acting differently,
than all the rest.

So, there is the possibility of choice.
And therefore there is also hope.

The german term “WERTSCHÄTZEND”
represents an idea that has become very dear to me.
Its used in the context of treating your fellow man
in an appreciative way.

August Sanders took a different choice
than most of the Germans
in those past dark years.

His photography
is all about,
seeing,
and leaving
people
as they are,
without being judgmental ,
respectfully,
with empathy:

“WERTSCHÄTZEND.”