Sophie Scholl

Brother and Sister Dissenters (Website download--attributed to United States Holocaust Museum )

Sophie and her brother Hans spread ideas in the Munich area. Years before the end of WWII they believed Germany should and would lose the war. In 1942 they did not know there were other resistance groups in Germany. In fact in Germany there could have been as many as 300 unassociated cells of dissent. As soon as the military or an official learned a citizen was working against the government, a court was convened and the outspoken citizen was killed. "The People's Court" with its own judge was sent to localities with sprouting resistance. Sophie and her brother were guillotined within four days of their arrest.

They started The White Rose. It was a group of university students who challenged the war by distributing leaflets throughout Germany. A total of eight were written. It was considered treasonous to speak out against the Nazi regime. They had to meet secretly and be very careful about buying paper or stamps, or painting slogans in public places. Hans tried to eat and swallow a leaflet he was handing to a friend when they were arrested. The White Rose was their insignia for peace as the yellow star of David was a brand of hatred.

Today a group of flickr photographers posts pictures to show the world the innocence of children and the vulnerability of civilians’ political conflict. The sub-group with its pool of shared photographs is called MUNDO UNO. Google it to see a showcase of pictures with the theme, "One world, one future for the children." Or click a link below.

As President Carter said years ago, few people say "Wage Peace". People speak about waging war, which is a strong verb. But peace is danced about so lightly because we don't have a clear image of what it is. I found the pictures on flickr and learned about these bold and courageous teens who dared to speak out. Now I feel wishy-washy myself. Americans like me should speak out against the Iraq war and not be cowed into thinking dissent is un-American. Dissent is the soil for the flowering of freedom and justice.

Wear a Rose (Flickr)

More waves need to be made. I need to stir the water within my circle of friends. I need to wear a white rose and visualize peace.