The Female Face of Brutality: Examining the Gruesome Acts of SS-Helferinnen

The Female Face of Brutality: Examining the Gruesome Acts of SS-Helferinnen

Oral - Textual or Investigative

It is essential to act with sensitivity when approaching historical topics, and crucial for the historian to emphasize that the acts of an individual cannot be generalized based on something as trivial as gender alone. This notion has been frequently looked at when pertaining to that of the historical memory when confronting the actions of the Schutzstaffel (SS)-Helferinnen, the female guards in Nazi concentration camps. Through the decades, the historiography of these women has evolved from unreasonably ruthless actions of individuals to a collective condemnation of the entire gender through historiography. In establishing a hierarchy of suffering, the historian must establish their interpretation of worseness. Sorrow has no structure and suffering is not a sport to be won. No one wins in the sport of suffering, yet many lose. In understanding the mindset of German officials, the brainwashing in German education, and the societal and social understanding of a woman’s place in German society, the historian can better understand the origin of these women and what brought them to such ruthless actions. Historians must try to understand the material in two different lights, both analytical and emotional. This difference has rarely been noted in the larger narrative and is often intertwined in a quasi-occult-like fascination, allowing for independently published works of fanatics rather than the peer-reviewed works of established historians to infiltrate the field. Upon examination, it is not the actions that make the female guards appear worse, but the agreed-upon societal, gender normative expectations that make their actions appear “worse” than that of their male counterparts. This explanation in no way excuses the actions of these women, but simply sheds light on the reasoning behind such grandiose claims in historical and social narratives. As Christians, we are called to protect the weak, our elders, women, and children, clothe the naked, and heal the sick. When I came across this aspect of the Holocaust, that affected so many women and caused so much pain for survivors, I was heartbroken. The atrocities that these guards committed are horrific and caused lifelong trauma for so many. While their actions were horrific, I was finding that their histories were not being fairly recorded in proper historiographic writings. As Christians, this should disturb us. The things that these women did were horrible, yet it if not right for society to historically condemn these women. We should acknowledge these horrors and still stick to the truth of the primary sources. These women, guards, and survivors are God's children, and their stories are important and valuable. It is crucial to understand the background of these women and examine the environment that they were raised in. As Christians, it is important for us to remain objective when examining the facts of history. These women should be held accountable for their horrendous actions, and they have been. It is my place as the historian to understand why the historiography is hyper critical of these women. As a Christian, I understand the independent roles and qualities of gender and what role that has played in the secular view of this material. To remain objective and as non-bias as possible is the upmost responsibility of any historian and Christian as that we know only God can truly judge our hearts. It is our job to examine the facts, respond, and conclude according the primary and secondary sources.