My Name Is Liza Kalvelage
Reflections on Responsibility: My Journey from Nuremberg to Advocacy
Lyrics
My name is Lisa Kalvelage, I was born in Nuremberg
Introducing herself as Lisa Kalvelage, born in Nuremberg.
And when the trials were held there nineteen years ago
Reflecting on the trials held in Nuremberg about nineteen years ago (from the time of singing the song).
It seemed to me ridiculous to hold a nation all to blame
Expressing the view that holding an entire nation accountable for global horrors seemed unreasonable to her.
For the horrors that the world did undergo
Questioning the justification of blaming a nation for the widespread atrocities experienced by the world.
A short while later when I applied to be a G. I. bride
Recalling an instance when she applied to be a G. I. bride.
An American consular official questioned me
Describing an incident where a U.S. consular official interrogated her.
He refused my exit permit, said my answers did not show
Stating that her answers during the interrogation didn't meet the official's criteria for accepting her exit permit.
I'd learned my lesson about responsibility.
Implying that she hadn't yet fully comprehended the concept of responsibility at that time.
Thus suddenly I was forced to start thinking on this theme
Realizing the need to contemplate the theme of responsibility due to the circumstances.
And when later I was permitted to emigrate
Being granted permission to emigrate at a later time.
I must have been asked a hundred times where I was and what I did
Recalling numerous inquiries about her whereabouts and actions during Hitler's rule.
In those years when Hitler ruled our state
Stating that she often claimed to be a child or a teenager during that era.
I said I was a child or at most a teen-ager
Explaining her attempts to avoid extensive questioning by portraying herself as young during Hitler's rule.
But that only extended the questioning
Describing that her attempts to evade questions only prolonged the interrogation.
They'd ask, where were my parents, my father, my mother
Mentioning inquiries about her parents which she couldn't answer.
And to this I could answer not a thing.
Expressing inability to provide information about her parents during that time.
The seed planted there at Nuremberg in 1947
Reflecting on a significant impact from the Nuremberg trials in 1947.
Started to sprout and to grow
Realizing a gradual understanding of what the verdict of those trials meant to her personally.
Gradually I understood what that verdict meant to me
Understanding the implications of seeing and knowing about crimes committed.
When there are crimes that I can see and I can know
Recognizing what it feels like to be burdened with mass guilt.
And now I also know what it is to be charged with mass guilt
Expressing a strong aversion to experiencing such guilt again.
Once in a lifetime is enough for me
Asserting that once in a lifetime is enough to bear such a burden.
No, I could not take it for a second time
Declaring her unwillingness to endure such a situation for a second time.
And that is why I am here today.
Explaining her reason for being present at that moment.
The events of May 25th, the day of our protest,
Referencing the events of May 25th and their impact on her.
Put a small balance weight on the other side
Describing how those events slightly influenced her perspective or actions.
Hopefully, someday my contribution to peace
Expressing hope that her contribution to peace will eventually make a difference.
Will help just a bit to turn the tide
Aspiring for her efforts to have a positive effect on the larger picture of peace.
And perhaps I can tell my children six
Contemplating passing down a message to her children about not staying silent in the face of injustice.
And later on their own children
Planning to educate her children and their descendants about the importance of speaking out against injustice.
That at least in the future they need not be silent
Hoping that future generations won't have to remain silent when confronted with questions about their ancestors' actions during certain times.
When they are asked, "Where was your mother, when?"
Envisioning a future where her descendants won't face silence or shame when questioned about their heritage during specific historical events.
Comment