Sophie Magdalena Scholl (1921-1943)
“The real damage is done by those millions who want to 'survive.' The honest men who just want to be left in peace. Those who don’t want their little lives disturbed by anything bigger than themselves. Those with no sides and no causes. Those who won’t take measure of their own strength, for fear of antagonizing their own weakness. Those who don’t like to make waves—or enemies. Those for whom freedom, honor, truth, and principles are only literature. Those who live small, mate small, die small. It’s the reductionist approach to life: if you keep it small, you’ll keep it under control. If you don’t make any noise, the bogeyman won’t find you. But it’s all an illusion, because they die too, those people who roll up their spirits into tiny little balls so as to be safe. Safe?! From what? Life is always on the edge of death; narrow streets lead to the same place as wide avenues, and a little candle burns itself out just like a flaming torch does. I choose my own way to burn.”
― Sophie Scholl
This was written by my presiding role model, Sophie Scholl. She, along with her brother Hans Scholl and two other members of the White Rose movement, were martyred at the hands of the Nazis under the Hitler regime on February 22, 1943.
Rather than turn a blind eye to the atrocities of the Nazi government, Sophie, along with several other young university students, formed a movement known as the White Rose, thereby risking certain death. Through their boldly veracious writings, they hoped to open people’s eyes to the truth of what was being hidden from the world by a deceitful and corrupt government. Via pamphlets printed on a clandestine press, they distributed these writings throughout neighborhoods and across college campuses.
Their profound belief in their cause: to uncover the Truth--cost them their young lives; Sophie at only 21 years of age. Yet they died for a purpose far beyond themselves, testifying to truth and selfless courage in the face of evil.
I’ve often dreamed of having the audacious courage of Sophie Scholl; of being involved in an underground movement that assists in the dismantling of a corrupt government. However, I’ve come to understand that even if I’m not on the front line in the same way they were, I can participate in the same movement of truth and courage. It may not mean the guillotine as it did for Sophie, but it will cost me my comfort and control. I may not be living under the Nazi regime, but I live in a world of injustice and corruption, ruled by a government with the same propensity for promulgating hate between people, a government in which love and the human spirit often seem of little consequence.
So, are not Sophie Scholl’s words just as pertinent in our society today? How many of us choose the reductionist approach to life? We just want to “survive” or be “left in peace” and “not want our little lives disturbed by anything bigger than ourselves.” We live in a society that caters to our every selfish need and desire, behind a facade of occasional good works. Good works are fine, just so long as certain parts of your life are not disrupted or disturbed. It is tragic to see how many beautiful spirits are—as Sophie put it--shrink-wrapped into tiny, self-isolating balls to keep them “safe” in a society that worships the elusive American Dream.
My words seem small compared to Sophie’s. But I read hers often as a timeless, and timely, witness to the purpose and meaning of life. Her actions leave me with a choice every day of which avenue I choose to walk down, and how I choose to burn.
