After two years of blogging, it’s time to get a little more organized. Pending creation of a web site (anyone want to help me with that?), I’ve created some categories to make it easier for readers to search my blog. The categories reflect the most common topics I’ve written about. One category with a lot of entries is Article 116 Citizenship, reflecting my long saga that came to a happy conclusion last fall. Although you won’t find detailed instructions on how to reclaim your German citizenship on my blog (you can get those from the German Consulate), you may find some useful hints and information. And if you have questions about the process, just ask!
The category with the fewest number of entries is ironically one that has most deeply captivated my attention: Holocaust Memorials. The ability to put into words the impact of these creations has often eluded me despite the many hours I’ve spent in contemplation before them. This is especially true for the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe which sits between Potsdamer Platz and the Brandenburg Gate in the heart of Berlin. I’m silenced by this memorial, silenced and alone, with no connection to anyone or anything around me. Peter Eisenman’s memorial speaks with great power but does not tell us what to think. Perhaps one day I will find the words to describe how I feel in this place to reflect and remember. But perhaps words cannot convey any added meaning to what the eye beholds.
