“I am a Berliner,” said President John F. Kennedy in 1963, providing symbolic support for Democracy over Communism. Not everyone is a "Berliner" today.
That's an arresting comparison, Jeff, between feeling like a modern-day Berliner, surrounded by a figurative wall of societal and political turbulence, and the historic weight of that city's past—it gives new dimension to Kennedy's defiant declaration, "Ich bin ein Berliner!" Your ritualistic ride through a digitized, scars-and-all Berlin is a powerful way to anchor yourself amidst unsettling current events, finding an undeniable truth in the physical reminders of past struggles, from the patched columns of the Brandenburg Gate to the undulating, wordless memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe; these historical touchstones highlight the perpetual human challenge of pushing back against rising tides of repression and deception to safeguard the universal aspiration for liberty and decency. Your commitment to witnessing these visual history lessons, even on a stationary bike, demonstrates a necessary vigilance in the face of the forces you cite, reminding us that every generation has a responsibility to humanity to tear down its own metaphorical walls of division.
Dennis, I look forward to reading your comments every week. I appreciate how you make sense of things. You're a master wordsmith. I look forward to talking with you in a couple of weeks.
Wow, I felt like I was along on the ride with you. Fascinating way to explore history (from a stationary bike!), though I know you were there in person, too. I'm always inspired by your curiosity and ability to synthesize complex concepts. And I'm so glad Crackers was adopted! :)
Thanks, Deb, for reading all the way to the bottom!
Yes, it's very interesting to ride where I've previously walked; the difference is that I can't get off this bike and sit and reflect like I could on my earlier visit to Berlin.
Wow… this is powerful, Jeff! I remember reading the piece you wrote about you visit there. I love how intentional you are about “riding to remember.” That said it would be impossible to forget. Thank you for sharing this!!
My relatives would be turning over in their graves knowing I went to this city where evil lived, but you know what it's like when you're compelled to do something. Thanks for reading and sharing. You are the best.
It makes me want to cancel my travel plans to the western US next spring, and go the other direction, to Berlin. It's a mixed feeling to remember (quite well) JFK's speech that day, and to feel a sense of pride at a real American president, one who understood that the America he presided over was the world's one vital nation. The stationary bike idea makes a great deal of sense. Thanks Jeff.
Byron, my wife is always trying to get me to join her on her business trips to CA, but if I'm going to spend six hours on a plane, it will be heading East, not West. There is still much to see related to WWII and its aftermath. Agree 100% re a real American president. The U.N. speech... Thanks for reading and commenting.
What bring your story to life are the details of one man's humanity married to the artifacts he has witnessed.
As always, Jeff, I am charmed & inspired by your stories that illuminate the larger world so that we can turn our eyes toward history, instead of away from it & thereby learn, understand, make sense of, have compassion for what went before us & how come.
If we do not pay attention to history, as the saying goes, we are doomed to repeat it.
I won't weigh in on whether we are doomed or not. I believe that We the People are the Sleeping Giant that has finally woken up in defiance.
Keep on writing to help us see our way on the journey come what may.
Like you, up at 5, coffee, read select news. HCR is select news.
I remember her being asked in an interview some time ago (after the 47 insanity) how she keeps her head in all the fray. HCR responded that a wide view of history reminds her how we have experienced similar (& not so similar) journeys in eons past.
That's an amazing "ride" you talk about. My family took us to Germany long before the wall came down. We didn't go to the Berlin Wall then, but I remember the talk about it before it went down and the images that were circulated around the world in celebration as it finally came down. Such a powerful moment of history. I'd so love to go back and see the new Germany one day.
I look forward to the day the hate is driven out of the US; it's not who we are as a nation, and we cringe at the thought that any part of this will be our legacy in history. ISO hope that the tide turns soon and we can reset the course of hope and freedoms soon -- very soon.
Kathryn, I used to teach high school history, so I could arm-wrestle you on the idea that hate isn't who we are as a nation. But I am 100% with you, hoping that the tide will soon turn.
You’re quite welcome. I’ve taught ESL classes (not exactly history but a lot of coverage of history for their tests — and a lot of dialogues). They have the vision of the Horatio Algier’s “American Dream” and finding out now that’s a big lie. :( I feel so sorry for them. They give up everything to chase their dreams and have a better life… then, this!
I hear you... That's why it's referred to as a "dream." But many persevere anyway, don't they? I'm always amazed at the stories of those people who came here with nothing and then flourished, making a life for themselves and giving to others. That's part of the sustaining message in these times.
Me too. Their stories had reminded me that I’m grateful to be in the USA; that’s even questionable right now. I wasn’t around for the WWars I and 2 like my parents were (they’re 90 years old this year), but this is the worst I’ve seen our Nation divided. 😢.
Thank you for this intriguing trip down Berlin's memory lane. What an interesting app- one that someone can gain physical as well as mental fitness at the same time. History is so important for us to remember!
Well, at least on this one particular ride. There is a 2nd Berlin ride, but it's mostly along the river. Not my favorite. Thanks for reading and commenting.
This resonates with me as strongly as any you have written. Who would have thought that a stationary bike video display could tell such a profound story. Well done. The growing statements that you mention (from you cannot worship to you cannot live) take me back to Animal Farm - the words are there - they have always been there - but we so often don't see. Thank you for this.
Thanks, Carol. Berlin was one of the most impactful trips I ever took. I barely scratched the surface in this essay of what I saw in person related to WWII.
That's an arresting comparison, Jeff, between feeling like a modern-day Berliner, surrounded by a figurative wall of societal and political turbulence, and the historic weight of that city's past—it gives new dimension to Kennedy's defiant declaration, "Ich bin ein Berliner!" Your ritualistic ride through a digitized, scars-and-all Berlin is a powerful way to anchor yourself amidst unsettling current events, finding an undeniable truth in the physical reminders of past struggles, from the patched columns of the Brandenburg Gate to the undulating, wordless memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe; these historical touchstones highlight the perpetual human challenge of pushing back against rising tides of repression and deception to safeguard the universal aspiration for liberty and decency. Your commitment to witnessing these visual history lessons, even on a stationary bike, demonstrates a necessary vigilance in the face of the forces you cite, reminding us that every generation has a responsibility to humanity to tear down its own metaphorical walls of division.
Dennis, I look forward to reading your comments every week. I appreciate how you make sense of things. You're a master wordsmith. I look forward to talking with you in a couple of weeks.
Well, thank you, Jeff. My comments are merely a reflection of always-great storytelling, my friend.
Wow, I felt like I was along on the ride with you. Fascinating way to explore history (from a stationary bike!), though I know you were there in person, too. I'm always inspired by your curiosity and ability to synthesize complex concepts. And I'm so glad Crackers was adopted! :)
Thanks, Deb, for reading all the way to the bottom!
Yes, it's very interesting to ride where I've previously walked; the difference is that I can't get off this bike and sit and reflect like I could on my earlier visit to Berlin.
Wow… this is powerful, Jeff! I remember reading the piece you wrote about you visit there. I love how intentional you are about “riding to remember.” That said it would be impossible to forget. Thank you for sharing this!!
My relatives would be turning over in their graves knowing I went to this city where evil lived, but you know what it's like when you're compelled to do something. Thanks for reading and sharing. You are the best.
It makes me want to cancel my travel plans to the western US next spring, and go the other direction, to Berlin. It's a mixed feeling to remember (quite well) JFK's speech that day, and to feel a sense of pride at a real American president, one who understood that the America he presided over was the world's one vital nation. The stationary bike idea makes a great deal of sense. Thanks Jeff.
Byron, my wife is always trying to get me to join her on her business trips to CA, but if I'm going to spend six hours on a plane, it will be heading East, not West. There is still much to see related to WWII and its aftermath. Agree 100% re a real American president. The U.N. speech... Thanks for reading and commenting.
This is no Armchair Tourist essay.
Yes, there are sites *&* sights
What bring your story to life are the details of one man's humanity married to the artifacts he has witnessed.
As always, Jeff, I am charmed & inspired by your stories that illuminate the larger world so that we can turn our eyes toward history, instead of away from it & thereby learn, understand, make sense of, have compassion for what went before us & how come.
If we do not pay attention to history, as the saying goes, we are doomed to repeat it.
I won't weigh in on whether we are doomed or not. I believe that We the People are the Sleeping Giant that has finally woken up in defiance.
Keep on writing to help us see our way on the journey come what may.
Thanks, Diane. I can't remember if you read Heather Cox Richardson every day, because she had a brilliant piece today of history repeating itself.
Yes, indeed, Jeff!
Like you, up at 5, coffee, read select news. HCR is select news.
I remember her being asked in an interview some time ago (after the 47 insanity) how she keeps her head in all the fray. HCR responded that a wide view of history reminds her how we have experienced similar (& not so similar) journeys in eons past.
There's a measure of comfort to be taken
That's an amazing "ride" you talk about. My family took us to Germany long before the wall came down. We didn't go to the Berlin Wall then, but I remember the talk about it before it went down and the images that were circulated around the world in celebration as it finally came down. Such a powerful moment of history. I'd so love to go back and see the new Germany one day.
I look forward to the day the hate is driven out of the US; it's not who we are as a nation, and we cringe at the thought that any part of this will be our legacy in history. ISO hope that the tide turns soon and we can reset the course of hope and freedoms soon -- very soon.
Kathryn, I used to teach high school history, so I could arm-wrestle you on the idea that hate isn't who we are as a nation. But I am 100% with you, hoping that the tide will soon turn.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
You’re quite welcome. I’ve taught ESL classes (not exactly history but a lot of coverage of history for their tests — and a lot of dialogues). They have the vision of the Horatio Algier’s “American Dream” and finding out now that’s a big lie. :( I feel so sorry for them. They give up everything to chase their dreams and have a better life… then, this!
I hear you... That's why it's referred to as a "dream." But many persevere anyway, don't they? I'm always amazed at the stories of those people who came here with nothing and then flourished, making a life for themselves and giving to others. That's part of the sustaining message in these times.
Me too. Their stories had reminded me that I’m grateful to be in the USA; that’s even questionable right now. I wasn’t around for the WWars I and 2 like my parents were (they’re 90 years old this year), but this is the worst I’ve seen our Nation divided. 😢.
A certain level of divisiveness has always been there; it's just simmered below the surface or been handled differently.
Likely true. 😎. Their “unspoken” words, thoughts have been so earth shattering.
Thank goodness for groups like Braver Angels and Crossing Party Lines are trying to bridge that communication gap.
Thank you for this intriguing trip down Berlin's memory lane. What an interesting app- one that someone can gain physical as well as mental fitness at the same time. History is so important for us to remember!
Well, at least on this one particular ride. There is a 2nd Berlin ride, but it's mostly along the river. Not my favorite. Thanks for reading and commenting.
This resonates with me as strongly as any you have written. Who would have thought that a stationary bike video display could tell such a profound story. Well done. The growing statements that you mention (from you cannot worship to you cannot live) take me back to Animal Farm - the words are there - they have always been there - but we so often don't see. Thank you for this.
Thanks, Carol. Berlin was one of the most impactful trips I ever took. I barely scratched the surface in this essay of what I saw in person related to WWII.
We were supposed to take a 2 week WWII tour in May, but found ourselves with two houses. But we'll get there