Disability Studies and the Legacies of Eugenics

"Disability Studies and the Legacy of Nazi Eugenics” DAAD Einstein Research Forum July 2004

Friday July 16 2004 Hadamar Day Two

A fitful night was spent by many participants as a hostel situated on top of a T4 ‘killing site’ is not necessarily conducive to a sound sleep. Others were exhausted having spent many hours the previous evening combing through copies of Hadamar files and viewing T-4 era documentaries. Several people expressed a feeling of ‘victory’ over the T-4 perpetrators for having actually ‘slept’ there and awoken the next day. (Being offered a bed and a chance to rest after a ‘shower’ was common ruse used to compel T-4 victims to the gas chamber). Bright sunshine and a hardy buffet breakfast provided a welcome contrast to the bleak weather. Ute George provided further background concerning the Hadamar files in a morning lecture. Those individuals wishing to view original files signed forms adhering to strict protocols for the viewing and use of the original files. While some of our group studied files, others viewed the exhibit developed by the Hadamar archivists. Preliminary discussions were held with Ute George, exploring a coordinated effort on the part of our group members to facilitate fund-raising to publish materials in English (in print and other formats) at the Hadamar site. At present, the archive does not have funding for this venture. Ute George, provided existing English materials to assist with the publication funding project.

After lunch at the hostel Ute George and her assistant kindly guided us up a single track road to the mass grave site of the Hadamar victims over-looking the hospital grounds. A quiet peace seems to fill this space. A simple stone marker serves as a memorial and a number of smaller markers represent various faith groups. Several people found the markers representing child victims and this was particularly poignant.
After returning to the Hadamar grounds we began are journey to Weimar.

Weimar Saturday July 17, 2004

After a long motor way journey we arrived at a lovely hotel in Weimar. Weimar itself is a charming old city having sustained surprisingly little damage from World War II. The open day in Weimar provided welcome respite from T-4 research. The city itself is full of open air cafes pedestrian areas museums, art galleries and other cultural sites including the writer philosopher Goethe’s house. Participants undertook a myriad of activities including, bike riding, site seeing, open air concerts, museum visits, shopping and refreshments at sidewalk cafes.

Sharon L. Snyder, Ph. D.,
Director, "Legacies of Eugenics" Summer Institute, Einstein Forum
Assistant Professor, Interdisciplinary Ph. D. Program in Disability Studies
Department of Disability and Human Development
University of Illinois at Chicago (MC 626)
1640 W. Roosevelt Rd. #207
Chicago IL 60608-6904 U.S.A.
E-mail: ssnyder@uic.edu Phone: (312) 413-1975 (Voice) Fax: (312) 996-0885