Dear Reichsfuhrer, among 10's of millions of Jews in Europe, there are, I figure, at least 2-3 millions of men and women who are fit enough to work. Considering the extraordinary difficulties the labor problem presents us with, I hold the view that those 2-3 millions should be specially selected and preserved. This can however only be done if at the same time they are rendered incapable to propagate. About a year ago I reported to you that agents of mine have completed the experiments necessary for this purpose. I would like to recall these facts once more. Sterilization, as normally performed on persons with hereditary diseases is here out of the question, because it takes too long and is too expensive. Castration by X-ray however is not only relatively cheap, but can also be performed on many thousands in the shortest time. I think that at this time it is already irrelevant whether the people in question become aware of having been castrated after some weeks or months, once they feel the effects. Should you, Reichsfuhrer, decide to choose this way in the interest of the preservation of labor, then Reichsleiter Bouhler would be prepared to place all physicians and other personnel needed for this work at your disposal. Likewise he requested me to inform you that then I would have to order the apparatus so urgently needed with the greatest speed. Heil Hitler! Yours, Viktor Brack.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker proposes selecting fit Jewish workers for forced labor while sterilizing them to prevent reproduction, justifying it as a solution to labor shortages.
- In plain terms
- He suggests using fit Jews for work and sterilizing them to stop them reproducing.
- What can you take from it?
- He rationalizes exploitation and genocide as economic policy.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How does economic rationalization enable atrocity?
- What safeguards prevent such policies?
Another view
The plan is morally abhorrent and violates basic human rights.
More from Viktor Brack
It was no secret in higher Party circles that the Jews were to be exterminated.
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Permalink to quote #3 The number is arrived at through a calculation on the basis of a ratio of 1000 to 10 to 5 to 1. That means, out of 1000 people 10 require psychiatric treatment…
Permalink to quote #4
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