During WWII, many people risked their lives to hide Jewish people they either did not know or did not know very well. Could you, the person you are today, do that if you had been alive back then?
Keep in mind:
Hiding a Jewish person involved more than just hiding them--you had to provide for all their needs in a world where everything from clothing to potatoes was rationed;
Anyone around you might suspect your secret and might turn you in for the bounty on Jews in hiding;
Being turned in usually resulted in at least jail time, but frequently resulted in deportation to a concentration camp, and many people, regardless of their reason for being there, did not survive their time in the camps.
Could you risk everything-- your family, your job, your good name, even your life, to save someone you barely know?
Please consider it carefully before you answer, and please answer as honestly as possible.
Thanks.
2007-01-20 15:53:46 · 11 answers · asked by Bronwen 7 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
People who helped the Jews, and people who helped Blacks escape slavery in the US and people who have helped oppressed people throughout history were not just 'helping strangers'. They were acting on their political and social beliefs. They were not just helping someone they didn't know, they were being true to what they believed was right and moral. They were saying with their actions what they believed was right.
People put themselves on the line in many ways for their beliefs all the time. It's not always so extreme as to be a life threatening action, especially here in the US, thank god.
I do what I can in little ways all the time to help small part of the world that I can touch be a better place. I hope that if I am ever called upon to risk everything for something that I really believe in that I am brave enough to do so.
2007-01-20 16:25:46 · answer #1 · answered by heart o' gold 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I doubt it. I can go to any extent to save my loved ones, but what about some stranger? What if i land myself and my family into some trouble becouse of my heroic attitude? What had they done to deserve the punishment? But I can't even just stand and watch any other person being tortured or in trouble. After all, they too are my fellows, how can i stay glued to the ground instead of saving them? Well, I guess i need to face such a situation to know my actions... :-)
2007-01-21 00:26:40 · answer #2 · answered by Swathi Rao 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I honestly don't know. My first instinct would be to say protect those I hold dear and love. I would hope if I could really help someone I would but try to at least be honest with myself and others about what I could do but how could really answer either way? Unless you are presented with a situation, I don't think until that moment anybody could honestly say for sure.
2007-01-20 23:59:58 · answer #3 · answered by Lily 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've often wondered this, re WW2. You would be putting not just yourself but your family at risk--and you would have no idea who to trust. Anyone could turn you in, if for no other reason that they're trying to save their own skin.
I hope to never have to find out the answer.
2007-01-20 23:57:48 · answer #4 · answered by EQ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm going to say yes, because it's the noble thing to do and based on the fact that I have sacrificed things in the past to hang on to my beliefs and principles.
*But* they were only "little" sacrifices so I think this will be a decision for my instinct as I know the chicken in me is sometimes quite forcefull.
One thing I know, their being a stranger or not will not affect my decision.
2007-01-21 00:02:09 · answer #5 · answered by webby 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ive thought about it and Id like to think I would because the alternative would be to sit and watch them led to their death is unthinkable. But we all think we are heros when we are not faced with the reality of it. Its hard to say what the real truth would be.
2007-01-20 23:58:59 · answer #6 · answered by Dovahkiin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe i would help them . I really don't know unless i was in that situation. but i know i wouldnt want them to die, and hiding them would save them as long as we all didn't get found out.
2007-01-20 23:58:04 · answer #7 · answered by avalon123 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, because as a human being, we hava a right to choose what we want (being jewish),
some people's right are being violated
and we need to help each other as a human being
2007-01-20 23:59:38 · answer #8 · answered by wEnNy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
think i could. because if i were a jewish person i would want some one to help me out. so ya i could and would any time.
2007-01-21 00:11:01 · answer #9 · answered by *****heart***** 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our American troops do this everyday - for humanity.
Me myself, I couldn't do it until I know my children are able to live without their mother. I have a responsibility to them first.
2007-01-20 23:58:51 · answer #10 · answered by schmitty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋