In 1939, Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler authorized the Aktion T-4 program (as it was called after the war), an involuntary euthanasia project that led to the killing of people who were considered unworthy of life – “Lebensunwertes Leben”.
The “unfit” includes the mentally ill and disabled. This, in the eyes of the Nazis, humans were considered unable to contribute to the progress and glory of the Motherland.
T-4 continued officially for two years and, with the personal sanction of the Führer, is estimated to have killed more than 300 000 children and adults.
We also know the violent consequences of this mode of “thinking” in that era and beyond – the lesser, the unworthy, the different, must be “discarded”.
Holocaust survivors know and live with the anguish of loss and dehumanization until death. Like the survivors of the bloody Rwandan genocide.
If an involuntary program such as T4 were proposed today, we like to think we would oppose it – violently if necessary.
But even a cursory glance at our society reveals a blisteringly uncomfortable truth: many of us do not understand the value of human life. And, apparently, of those who do, many just don’t give figs.
As an example, the death of 21 people and injuries of more than 60 in Limpopo this week after a bus and a cash-in-transit vehicle collided, reported in rote mode by local media – if at all – but picked up by international media. marriage.
Reckless, drunken and unlicensed driving on South African roads is an ongoing curse with deadly consequences that are beyond the control of this government.
At least once a week, we hear of many deaths on our roads.
So desensitised we have become to the loss of life that we gloss through this report, when the appropriate ministry uses every accident scene as a photo opportunity.
We continue with social media videos of selfless crime victims, this week’s case is a brutal clip from the murder of singer AKA. His killers are now suspended in the ether for their parents and children stumbling around with seemingly no consequences.
Every day, people and the media are angry with the government, because they cannot stop the wave of murders and rapes. We admit that we have failed, but we still hope that the government fails to offer solutions to heinous crimes or pressing economic and social problems.
The value of human life, in particular, cannot be taught by the government, because the government, as we have learned from T-4 and other programs or events, can become mischievous in the blink of an eye, because of the “right” meeting. events and “right” leaders.
A valuable life should be cultivated from childhood, at home. Here children should be raised to uphold universal values such as respect and tolerance. The government’s only role is to deal with those who violate these values.
We are told that the chemical value of the human body, including the skin, is about $4.50, or just under R22. The quintessential value or potential value of human life should be taught as a value.