To think whatever your opinion on Hitler, he was and always will be an important figure in history?

[SnottGrass]

So DS is setting off for Berlin tomorrow morning. Last year, he went to Frankfurt and I got him a disposable camera. When I got it developed a week later, it was full of pictures of converse boots in circles, giant burgers, random people walking down the street and "hostel shenanigans" (think teen 6 lads sharing a room!).

So today I bought him another disposable camera and gave him a list of stuff I thought he should aim to 'picture' - stuff he may want to look back on once he's past the age of thinking a circle of converse trainers is "art".

On my list was Brandenburg Gate, the outside of the hostel, the tv tower, checkpoint charlie and then I stopped and asked "is the podium still there where Hitler used to do the speeches? that would be a good one to get".

Well by DH's face you would have thought I'd said "whilst you're there son, make sure you frogmarch through the city centre with a swastika in one hand and your other arm outstretched". DH snapped at me "why on earth do you want him taking pictures of that!! it's sounding like you support the guy!!" ??? really?? isn't Hitler a piece of history, despite what a c*nt he was??

AIBU?

I think it's important to study our history, less like to repeat itself!
But 'whatever you think of hitler' make no sense, I'd hope everyone thinks he was despicable.

It's not unreasonable to take a photo of that but I do think it's unreasonable to give him a list of photos to take. He's a child and children take crappy photos of giant burgers etc. It's a learning curve of life. Let the poor boy enjoy what will be a great experience with you dictating how he enjoys it.

This is a question I have always wondered, but broader over WW1 & 2 more generally. Which whilst important, get far too much attention given to them over other areas of history.

Perhaps history really becomes history when everyone who was alive then dies. So it will take until 2050 or so, before Hitler is seen in the same way as earlier evil despots perhaps

Your dh is being a bit silly.

Does he expect his children never to be taught about the war incase they learn about hitler?

It wasn't an order, just a suggestion as to what he might want to capture whilst there. He'll probably take no notice but as a keen photographer and traveller - I got quite into it. He knows what I'm like and will probably take no notice

Good. I am glad he will take no notice!

Your dh sounds bit silly to me too. It's history, innit?

YABU

1. It's your DS's trip, let him choose what to photograph
2. I'm with your DH on the photographing the podium. Yes, Hitler and the genocide of 6 million Jews is part of history and should not be forgotten but I don't really see how a photo of the podium Hitler used to speak from ensures that, I also doubt it is still there and if your DS goes round asking where it is, he may give the wrong impression.

Is this a school History trip? If so, I imagine that it will involve a visit to a concentration camp or something like that. I think that is what should be remembered, not just a podium.

I'm also a it confiused as to why your dh would doubted your stance on Nazism - bit insulting, actually!

Bloody iPad.you get the gist .........

YABU

If your son wants to take 'arty' pictures of converse, and people pissing about in a hotel room so be it.

You don't need a photo of Hitler's podium/house/anything at all to remember the horrible, evil things that he and the Nazi's did

It's important to not forget what he did. It's important to never forget the people that suffered and died because of him. He is certainly an infamous historical figure but I would not use the word 'important'. That seems more fitting a word for people who did great things in history. Not what he did. And I can understand someone feeling uncomfortable if they (mistakenly I know, I am not accusing you of the following but speculating that it may be a reason for your husband's reaction) treating it like an interesting tourist attraction.

Let your son take what pictures he wants to take.

In answer to your op yanbu. Hitler is an important historical figure and he changed the world. Recognising this does not mean you think he 'was alright' or that you are a nazi sympathiser. Many people who effect the world is such huge ways are evil twats. But that doesn't lessen the impact they have.
Many events took place in Berlin that have such a huge effect on life today, I have been to Berlin and its quite a weird feeling being in a place were these things happened.
however yabu in regards to giving him a list of photos he must take. Shit photos are what teens do.

A recent survey of german teenagers showed that half of them did not know that Hitler was a dictator. There was an article about in The Guardian last week.

Well who did they think he was?

YABU to tell him what he must take photos of. There are thousands of photos of those landmarks on the internet. They will always be there. The photos of him and his friends enjoying a trip are personal and will certainly bring back more memories in years to come.

A list of suitable things to photigraph is a bit err 'Hitler' like.. sorry.

I guess your DH means why would anybody care enough to photograph the podium, go look at it but not keep a souvenier.

YABU.

When he is ready and interested he can google images

YABU to tell him what to photograph. YANBU about Hitler. He is an important historical figure, doesn't mean your DS has to take photos of monuments though.

Agree with squeaky, he's going to take photos of what's important to him and to have memories of himself and his mates on a trip. Photos like you've suggested are just boring, especially to a teen!

With regards to Hitler you don't sound like you're some sort of Nazi supporter suggesting he visit significant places like Checkpoint Charlie but I wouldn't expect your DS to take photos of them. I also don't consider Hitler to be an important historical figure. I save that sort of honour for people like Martin Luther King. He is remebered for the horrible things he did and the persecution of millions, not because he had an important role in changing the world.

The Article

In case anyone is interested.

Really FoxyRoxy you don't think he changed the world? Started a world war; killed millions of people; was responsible for the blanket bombing of numerous cities (ok we did that too); allowed Russia to get a hold of eastern europe and enforce communism on millions of people - which also allowed Stalin to kill millions of people.